Edo Woman, Three Accomplices Arrested for Allegedly Faking Kidnapping to Demand ₦50 Million Ransom

The Edo State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a woman identified as Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in an attempt to extort ₦50 million from her family.
According to police authorities, the case came to light after Mrs. Ugbowan’s husband, Mr. Tony Ugbowan, reported her alleged abduction to the police on June 1, 2026. He told investigators that his wife had reportedly been kidnapped while travelling to her shop in Benin City and that unknown callers had demanded ₦50 million for her release.
Following the report, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation using intelligence and technical tracking methods. Their efforts led to the arrest of 28-year-old Israel Ability, who was found in possession of Mrs. Ugbowan’s mobile phone.
During interrogation, Ability reportedly confessed that the kidnapping was staged and claimed he had been recruited by Mrs. Ugbowan to negotiate ransom payments from her family while pretending she was being held by kidnappers.
Acting on the information obtained, detectives tracked Mrs. Ugbowan to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where she was arrested. Police said she admitted to orchestrating the fake abduction and subsequently led investigators to the home of an alleged accomplice, Ochukwudem Uwadia.
Further investigations revealed that the residence was used to produce videos portraying Mrs. Ugbowan as a kidnap victim. In the footage, she was allegedly shown with her hands and feet tied while appeals for ransom were made to convince family members that her life was in danger.
Police also arrested Uwadia’s 18-year-old son, Chibuzor, who was allegedly seen in the videos pointing a firearm at Mrs. Ugbowan to make the kidnapping claim appear genuine.
A search of the property led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the recording of the ransom videos.
The police confirmed that all suspects connected to the alleged conspiracy are in custody, while investigations continue as authorities prepare legal action against those involved.