Police in Edo State have arrested a 27-year-old woman, Chioma Adaniken, for allegedly faking her own kidnap in a bid to extort ₦5 million from her husband.
According to a statement by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the plot was uncovered by operatives attached to the New Etete Division in Benin City after an intelligence-led investigation.
The case began on October 27, 2025, when Chioma’s husband, Paul Adaniken, reported to police that his wife and their three-year-old son had been abducted. Shortly after, the alleged kidnappers contacted him and demanded ₦5 million as ransom.
However, police investigations revealed that Chioma had staged the abduction with the help of her cousin, 33-year-old Osita Godfrey, and another accomplice, 23-year-old Martins Chodozie.
The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime, and the ₦5 million ransom was recovered. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.
