The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Chioma Success Ezebie Adaniken, and two accomplices for allegedly faking her own abduction and demanding a ransom of ₦5 million from her husband.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), ASP Eno Ikoedem, who described the act as “a shocking case of deceit and criminal manipulation.”
According to the statement, the suspects — Chioma, her 33-year-old cousin Osita Godfrey, and another accomplice, Martins Chidozie, aged 23 — were apprehended after a detailed investigation by officers of the New Etete Division, Benin City.
The operation, the police said, followed a distress report lodged by Chioma’s husband, Mr. Paul Adaniken, who initially believed his wife and their three-year-old son had been kidnapped.
The case began on October 27, 2025, when Mr. Adaniken, a trader in Benin City, left his wife and child at home in the morning before heading to his shop. Hours later, around noon, he received a frightening phone call from an unknown number.
The caller informed him that his wife and son had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of ₦5 million for their release.
In fear for their safety, Mr. Adaniken quickly reported the incident to the New Etete Police Division, where detectives immediately began investigations.
The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a cyber-tracking operation, combining intelligence gathering and digital forensics. The investigation soon revealed inconsistencies in the supposed kidnap narrative.
According to ASP Ikoedem, the breakthrough came when detectives discovered that the phone number used to contact Mr. Adaniken was linked to Chioma’s cousin, Osita.
“His confessional statement led to the arrest of the supposed victim, Chioma Success Adaniken, who conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction in order to extort money from her husband,” the police spokesperson said.
Further investigation revealed that Chioma had orchestrated the plan with Osita and Martins, allegedly claiming she needed the money to “settle personal issues.”
When confronted by investigators, all three suspects reportedly confessed to the plot. The police also recovered the ₦5 million ransom during the operation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the officers of the New Etete Division for their swift action, which exposed the fraudulent scheme.
He condemned the act of self-kidnapping, describing it as “a serious crime that wastes police resources and causes unnecessary public panic.”
“Acts such as this undermine public confidence and distract law enforcement agencies from tackling genuine criminal threats,” the CP stated.
Agbonika further warned residents against raising false alarms or engaging in deceitful behaviour, stressing that such actions carry severe penalties under Nigerian law.
The Commissioner also assured Edo residents that the Command remains committed to using intelligence-driven and technology-based policing to combat crime in all its forms.
The case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of its bizarre nature but also because it highlights the growing trend of individuals faking abductions to extort money from family members.
Over the past few years, similar incidents have been reported in various parts of Nigeria. In 2023, a university student in Lagos was arrested after staging her own abduction to collect ₦800,000 from her parents. In 2024, police in Anambra State apprehended a young man who faked his kidnap to extort ₦2 million from his relatives.
According to security analyst Dr. Kabiru Danjuma, the incident in Edo State highlights the need for increased public awareness about the dangers of false reporting.
“This is not only a moral failure but also a criminal one. Self-kidnapping wastes police resources, diverts attention from real crimes, and damages trust within families,” he said.
The fake kidnapping case also comes at a time when Edo State continues to grapple with genuine cases of abduction and insecurity.
Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies, incidents of abduction for ransom have continued to pose serious threats to residents, especially along rural highways.
In that context, the revelation that some individuals are staging fake kidnaps has angered many, with critics saying such acts trivialize the real pain of families affected by genuine abductions.
News of Chioma’s arrest has since gone viral, sparking mixed reactions on social media. Some users expressed disbelief, while others condemned the act as shameful and selfish.
A Benin-based legal practitioner, Barrister Peter Aigbe, said the suspects could face multiple charges, including conspiracy, fraud, and giving false information to law enforcement.
“If convicted, they could be sentenced to several years in prison,” he explained. “The law treats such behavior as a serious criminal offence because it disrupts public peace and undermines police credibility.”
According to the Edo State Police Command, all suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The recovered ransom money has been entered as evidence, while the Command intensifies efforts to identify and apprehend any additional accomplices.
Meanwhile, Mr. Adaniken is said to be cooperating with police investigators and has expressed shock at his wife’s alleged actions.
