The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman, identified as Umadi, for allegedly staging her own abduction and demanding a N15m ransom from her younger brother.
The woman reportedly claimed that she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen while on her way to buy medicine.
She subsequently contacted her younger brother, informing him that her purported abductors were demanding N15m for her release.
The incident was reported on October 23, 2026, at the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division, prompting the Commissioner of Police to direct operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ubuluku, to investigate the alleged abduction and secure her release.
However, investigations reportedly established that the kidnapping was fabricated by the woman as part of an attempt to extort money from her family.
In a video shared on X on Tuesday, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, expressed surprise that a 54-year-old woman would engage in self-kidnapping, noting that previous cases recorded by the command had largely involved teenagers and young people.
“In the past, we have heard of cases of self-kidnap, fake kidnap that was done by underage or, let me say, teenagers 15, 16, 17 to 20, but we have never had a case that involved a 54-year-old elderly woman,” Edafe said.
“It is quite unfortunate that she faked her own kidnap because she wanted to extort her younger brother a sum of ₦15 million.”
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted arranging the fake abduction and contacting her younger brother to demand the ransom.
When asked how much she requested, she confirmed that it was N15m.
She also admitted telling her brother that the supposed kidnappers would kill her if the money was not paid.
The woman, who claimed to have been held captive for 12 days after staging the incident, reportedly struggled to explain her actions when Edafe questioned why she subjected her family member to such distress despite acknowledging that he had not treated her badly.
Edafe said the investigation revealed that the alleged abduction was a calculated attempt to extort money from her brother, who initially believed she was genuinely in the hands of kidnappers.
He commended the brother for reporting the incident to the police and urged members of the public to promptly notify security agencies whenever they receive kidnapping threats or ransom demands involving their relatives.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that investigators suspected the woman had accomplices, adding that some individuals allegedly involved in the scheme had been identified and were being tracked for arrest.
“Some of the people she conspired with were seen on their trail because obviously she didn’t do it alone, and we are definitely going to arrest them,” Edafe said.
The command said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the suspected accomplices and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
