A married woman identified as Oluchi has been accused of orchestrating a fake kidnapping scheme after she was reportedly found in a hotel in Delta State with her alleged lover.
According to reports, Oluchi’s family had earlier believed she was abducted in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Edo State. Her children, including a daughter living in Canada, appealed to the public for financial assistance to secure her release after kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom of N50 million, later reduced to N20 million.
However, police investigations reportedly uncovered a different story. Detectives traced a phone number linked to the case to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where Oluchi and the man allegedly involved in the plot were found together.
A source familiar with the investigation said officers located the pair at the hotel and later informed Oluchi’s husband of their findings. The source added that the woman reportedly pleaded with her husband not to reveal the circumstances surrounding the incident to their children.
Reacting to the development in a video, Oluchi’s daughter, Anita, expressed disappointment and heartbreak over the situation. She said the family had acted solely out of concern for their mother’s safety and had no knowledge of any alleged deception.
According to Anita, the revelation has caused significant emotional distress for the family, particularly her father, who is said to be dealing with health challenges. She stressed that the family would allow the legal process to take its course and noted that any money raised for the supposed ransom would be returned.
A social group known as the Harmony Ladies Club, of which Anita is a member, also distanced itself from the incident. In a statement, the club said it had provided emotional, logistical, and financial support after learning of the alleged abduction, only to discover later that the incident was reportedly staged.
The group described the development as disappointing and said members felt betrayed after acting in good faith during what they believed was a genuine emergency.
Confirming the case, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, stated that four individuals had been arrested in connection with the matter and that investigations were ongoing.
