Delta woman pretends to be kidnapped to scam brother out of N15m

The Delta State Police have arrested a 54-year-old woman for pretending to be kidnapped. She allegedly did this to extort N15 million from her younger brother.

The woman told her brother that some men abducted her and were demanding N15 million for her release. The police public relations officer shared this information in a video where the woman confessed to her crime.

The police spokesperson said the case was reported at Ogwashi-Uku Divisional Police Headquarters on October 23, 2026. The Commissioner of Police then ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Obu-Luku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, to look into the matter.

The operatives started an intelligence-led investigation that uncovered the woman's plan and led to her arrest. The spokesperson stated, "On October 23, 2026, a case of suspected kidnapping was reported at Oguachukwu Division, and the Commissioner of Police, in his wisdom, directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Obu-Luku to investigate.

"They started the investigation, and the result was alarming. In the past, we have heard of cases of self-kidnapping and fake kidnappings involving underage persons or teenagers aged 15, 16, 17 or 18 to 20.

"But we have never had a case involving a 54-year-old woman. It is quite unfortunate that she faked her own kidnapping because she wanted to extort N15 million from her younger brother.

"We embarked on an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the eventual discovery that the kidnapping was fake. She was arrested before she started opening up."

In a video confession, the suspect admitted to staging her own kidnapping and demanding money from her brother. She said, "I kidnapped myself. I told my brother I had been kidnapped when I went out to buy medicine, and it took me to the bush. I called my brother and told him.

"I told him they wanted N15 million and that if he didn’t pay the money, they would kill me. It was the devil’s work. I want forgiveness. It was the devil’s work."

The police spokesperson noted that the woman claimed to have been held for 12 days before her arrest. The investigation showed that she did not act alone, and some others were allegedly part of the plan.

He said, "She claimed that she was kidnapped on October 23 and remained in captivity for 12 days, all in a bid to extort N15 million from her brother.

"But thanks to the intelligence of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit here in Obu-Luku, she was eventually arrested, and the cat was let out of the bag.

"Some of the people she conspired with are being tracked, and we are definitely going to arrest them."