The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in an attempt to extort ₦15 million from her younger brother.
The shocking incident, which has attracted public attention, was uncovered following an investigation by the police after the woman’s family reported that she had allegedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.
According to reports, the woman, identified as Umadi, allegedly fabricated her abduction and contacted her younger brother, claiming that she had been seized by kidnappers and taken into the bush.
She reportedly demanded that her brother pay ₦15 million as ransom for her release, warning that the supposed abductors would kill her if the money was not provided.
The incident was reported to the police on October 23, 2026, at the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division in Delta State.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police reportedly directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, to investigate the alleged abduction and ensure the woman’s safe return.
However, what initially appeared to be another kidnapping incident reportedly took a different turn after intelligence-led investigations exposed the alleged deception.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives discovered that the woman had allegedly arranged the kidnapping herself as part of a plan to obtain money from her younger brother.
Edafe expressed surprise over the development, noting that although the command had previously encountered cases of staged kidnappings involving teenagers and younger people, the latest incident was unusual because of the suspect’s age.
How the Woman Carried Out the Alleged Kidnapping
During interrogation, the 54-year-old suspect reportedly admitted that she staged the kidnapping and personally contacted her younger brother to inform him that she had been abducted.
In a video released by the police, she confessed to the alleged act, explaining that she had told her brother she was kidnapped while she was out to purchase medicine.
She further admitted that she demanded ₦15 million and threatened that the supposed kidnappers would kill her if the money was not paid.
When asked about the incident, the woman reportedly said:
“I kidnapped myself. I told my brother I had been kidnapped when I went out to buy medicine, and it took me to the bush. I called my brother and told him.
“I told him they wanted N15m and that if he didn’t pay the money, they would kill me. It was the devil’s work. I want forgiveness.”
The suspect reportedly claimed that she had remained in captivity for 12 days while attempting to convince her brother that her life was in danger.
Some reports also indicated that she claimed she needed the money for medical treatment relating to a problem with her leg. Punch Newspapers +2
Police Discover Possible Accomplices
Providing further details about the investigation, SP Bright Edafe disclosed that preliminary findings suggested the woman did not carry out the alleged scheme alone.
According to the police spokesperson, investigators had identified possible accomplices who allegedly assisted her in arranging the fake kidnapping.
He explained that operatives were already tracking the suspected collaborators and would ensure that everyone connected to the incident was brought to justice.
The police expressed confidence that further investigations would uncover the full circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy.
Police Commend Woman’s Younger Brother
The Delta State Police Command also commended the woman’s younger brother for reporting the alleged kidnapping rather than immediately paying the ₦15 million ransom.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious kidnapping claims to security agencies instead of making ransom payments without verification.
The command stressed the importance of allowing security operatives to investigate abduction reports, particularly as false kidnapping claims can create unnecessary panic, waste security resources and undermine efforts to tackle genuine kidnapping cases. Punch Newspapers +2
Investigation Ongoing
As of November 11, 2026, the woman had been arrested, while police investigations into the alleged involvement of other individuals were continuing.
The police had not publicly announced the identities of the suspected accomplices or disclosed the formal charges to be filed against the woman.
The incident has sparked conversations about the growing concern over staged kidnapping cases and the lengths to which some individuals may allegedly go to obtain money from their relatives.