The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered a bizarre case of self-kidnap involving two young lovers who staged an abduction to extort money from the family of one of them.
Police identified the suspects as 23-year-old Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye and her 24-year-old boyfriend, Chibuike Ogbu. The duo allegedly conspired to fake Nmesoma’s kidnap, demanding a whopping ₦15 million ransom from her family.
After intense negotiation, the suspects reportedly convinced her relatives to pay ₦3 million, which was transferred directly into her account. Police operatives later recovered ₦1.2 million of the ransom after arresting the pair in an intelligence-led operation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as a disturbing sign of moral decay in society. He said it was shocking that a young woman would connive with her lover to defraud her own family.
He urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to step up efforts in instilling discipline, honesty, and integrity in young people, warning that the chase for quick wealth was driving many into destructive ventures.
CP Orutugu further cautioned that the long arm of the law will always catch up with offenders, no matter how cleverly they attempt to disguise their crimes.
The suspects remain in custody as police conclude investigations ahead of their prosecution.
