The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old woman, Nwachukwu Blessing, over an alleged case of conspiracy, fraud and self-kidnapping after her family reportedly paid N3m as ransom.
The Punch reported that Blessing was allegedly involved in a scheme to deceive her family into believing that she had been kidnapped, with the intention of obtaining money from them.
Police said she allegedly worked with a female accomplice identified as Onyinye and an unidentified male associate.
The state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, arrested Blessing on Friday following credible intelligence gathered during investigations.
According to Ikenga, Blessing was reported to have been abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on August 29, 2026.
However, after her family paid N3m as ransom, she was allegedly not released, leading the police to intensify their investigation.
He said, “The suspect was arrested by Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence received in the course of an investigation into a reported kidnapping incident.
“The lady was reportedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on 29th August 2026. However, despite the payment of N3 million ransom by her family, she was allegedly not released, prompting further investigation by the Police.
“Following sustained intelligence gathering and investigative efforts, Police Operatives, in the afternoon of September 18, 2026, traced and located the alleged victim in a room in Asaba, Delta State, where she was recovered.
“Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that the lady allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as Onyinye, whose other names are yet to be established, and another male accomplice, whose identity is presently unknown, to stage her own kidnapping and obtain money from her family.”
The police spokesperson said Blessing remained in custody and was assisting investigators with information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the alleged accomplices.
Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, had ordered an intensified investigation to uncover the full circumstances of the case and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
