By Mick Oseji, Asaba
A married woman identified as Oluchi has been accused of staging her own kidnapping in Edo State and demanding a staggering N50 million ransom from her family, only to be discovered in a Delta State hotel alongside her alleged lover.
The shocking incident sparked panic after relatives believed she had been abducted around the Ikpoba Hill area in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. Her children, including a daughter living in Canada, launched emotional appeals for assistance as the supposed kidnappers later reduced the ransom demand to N20 million.
But police investigations reportedly uncovered a different story.
Security operatives traced a phone number linked to one of the suspects to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where Oluchi and a male companion were allegedly found together.
According to police sources, her husband was initially informed that his wife had been rescued before investigators revealed at the station that the kidnapping had allegedly been staged.
The woman reportedly pleaded with authorities not to expose the incident to her children.
Her daughter, Anita, expressed disbelief over the development, saying the family acted sincerely throughout the ordeal and that all money donated by sympathisers would be refunded since no ransom was paid.
The Harmony Ladies Club, which had supported the fundraising efforts believing the abduction was genuine, described the revelation as a painful betrayal of trust.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that four suspects have been arrested while investigations continue.
