The Delta State Police Command has uncovered a fake kidnapping staged by a newlywed woman who sought to defraud her family of N3 million to repay debts incurred from her wedding expenses.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development in Asaba, revealing that what was initially treated as a genuine abduction case turned out to be a calculated act of deceit, masterminded by 29-year-old Merit Eleh.
According to Edafe, police operatives received a distress call reporting that a woman had been abducted by armed men in the Bonsaac area of Asaba.
Acting swiftly, Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, to launch a rescue operation.
Through an intelligence-led investigation, two suspects — Alfred Elisha and Ugochukwu Adim — were arrested the next morning at separate locations in Asaba.
During interrogation, Elisha confessed that the abduction was orchestrated by the supposed victim herself. This revelation led to the arrest of Eleh, who admitted to faking her own kidnapping to extort her family.
She confessed to owing her brother N3.6 million, a loan used to finance her bridal shower and hotel arrangements for her March 2025 wedding. In desperation, she staged the kidnapping to raise N3 million as ransom.
Eleh told investigators she gave N500,000 to her accomplices and kept the remaining N2.5 million. All suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Edafe described the act as a criminal abuse of public resources and police time, adding that the suspects would be charged to court.
“The law will take its full course. This was a shameful and elaborate scheme of deceit that could have cost innocent lives,” he said.
