Police Arrest Woman For Staging Own Kidnap, Recover N5m Ransom In Edo

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Chioma Adaniken, for allegedly staging her own kidnapping to extort the sum of ₦5 million from her husband, with the help of her cousin and another accomplice.

According to a statement by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the incident was uncovered by operatives attached to New Etete Division, Benin City, following a detailed intelligence-led investigation.

Ikoedem said the case began on October, 27, 2025, when Paul Adaniken, a resident of No. 111 Limit Road, Off Sapele Road, Benin City, reported to the police that his wife and their three-year-old son had been kidnapped while he was away at work.

Adaniken told police officers that the alleged abductors later contacted him and demanded a ransom of N5million for their release.

ASP Ikoedem said police detectives immediately swung into action, deploying both covert and overt strategies, in collaboration with the Command’s Anti- Kidnapping Unit, which carried out cyber analysis and surveillance to trace the suspects.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the supposed victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey, aged 33, who was initially believed to be assisting the police with information. However, further interrogation revealed that he was complicit in the act,” ASP Ikoedem stated.

She added that Godfrey’s confession led to the arrest of Chioma Adaniken, the woman who allegedly conspired to fake her own abduction, as well as another 23-year-old suspect, Martins Chodozie.

“All suspects have made useful confessional statements. The ransom of N5 million has been recovered, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution,” she added.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, commended officers of New Etete Division for their professionalism and swift response, which led to the unraveling of what he described as a “deceitful and shameful act.”

“This Command will continue to deploy intelligence and technology-driven strategies to combat crime in all its forms,” the Commissioner said. “We urge residents to desist from any act capable of undermining public peace.”

The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining peace across the state.