The Delta State Police Command has arrested a woman and her accomplices for allegedly faking her own kidnap and extorting a ₦3 million ransom from her family.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement released on Monday in Asaba, the state capital, highlighting the command’s recent breakthroughs in the fight against criminality.
According to Edafe, on July 21, 2025, a report was lodged about a suspected kidnap involving a female victim in the Ajaji (Bonsaac) Layout of Asaba. Acting swiftly on the report, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered a coordinated operation led by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad Commander, CSP Godwin Osadolor, to rescue the victim unhurt.
Following intensive intelligence gathering and surveillance, operatives arrested Alfred Elisha at Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and Ugochukwu Adim off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22.
During interrogation, Elisha confessed the abduction was staged in collaboration with the alleged victim, later identified as Merit Eleh, 29. She was subsequently arrested and admitted to orchestrating the fake kidnap to raise money.
According to police findings, Merit used part of a ₦3.6 million loan from her brother to finance her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding in March 2025. When repayment pressure mounted, she staged the kidnap, collected ₦3 million in ransom, kept ₦2.5 million for herself, and shared ₦500,000 with her accomplices.
All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.
