The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old woman, Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, for allegedly faking her own kidnap in a plot to extort money from her parents.
Nmesoma was arrested alongside her 24-year-old boyfriend, Chibuike Ogbu, who police say conspired with her to stage the abduction.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday. He explained that operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked the suspects and uncovered the scheme. According to him, the pair initially demanded N15 million before reducing it to N3 million, which was paid into Nmesoma’s account.
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“Investigations revealed that the supposed victim conspired with her boyfriend to stage her abduction. Operatives recovered N1.2 million as part of the ransom already collected,” Ikenga said.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, described the act as disturbing and a reflection of growing moral decay among youths. He condemned the increasing trend of young people embracing crime as a shortcut to wealth and urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to intensify efforts in mentoring and instilling values of honesty and hard work.
The incident has sparked reactions across the state, with many residents expressing shock that a young woman could go as far as faking her own kidnap for money. Community leaders warned that such acts not only betray family trust but also waste security resources needed to combat real threats.
Police have assured that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations while calling on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
