A woman who faked her own abduction and demanded N5million ransom from husband has landed in police cell.
Even her cousin whom she recruited for the deal has also earned big trouble, and both of them are now being held by the police.
The Edo State Police Command said the woman, Chioma Ezebie Adaniken and her accomplice after faking her kidnap, then began to demand N5 million ransom so she could be released.
A statement by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said that :
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that its operatives attached to New Etete Division, Benin City, have successfully uncovered and apprehended suspects involved in a case of self-kidnapping, following diligent investigation and coordinated intelligence operations.
“On 27th October, 2025, one Paul Adaniken ‘m’, of No. 111 Limit Road, off Sapele Road, Benin City, reported at New Etete Police Division that at about 07:30hrs, he left his wife, Chioma Success Ezebie ‘f’, aged 27, and their 3-year-old son, Andrea Ojiezelabor ‘m’, at home before proceeding to his shop.
“Later that day, at about midday, he received a phone call from an unknown number informing him that his wife and son had been kidnapped, with the abductors demanding a ransom of ₦5m for their release.
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“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from New Etete Division immediately commenced investigations, while the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a full-scale cyber analysis and the intelligence-led operations that yielded a major breakthrough revealing startling details: the victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey ‘m’, aged 33, who was earlier believed to be assisting with information, was arrested and found to be complicit in the crime.
“His confessional statement led to the arrest of the supposed victim, Chioma Adaniken ‘f’, aged 27, who conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction in order to extort money from her husband.
“Another suspect, Martins Chidozie ‘m’, aged 23, was also arrested in connection with the crime. All suspects have made useful confessional statements, ransom of N5 million recovered, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and onward prosecution.”
Commanding officers of the New Etete Division for their swift and tactical response, which led to the unravelling of this deceitful act, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, warned residents to be wary.
Agbonika, who stated that the command would continue to deploy intelligence and technology-driven strategies to combat, not just abduction, but crime in all forms, advised residents to desist from it.
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