18-year-old arrested for faking own abduction, demands ₦10m ransom

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested an 18-year-old, Obehi Odine, for allegedly orchestrating her own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million, while 11 other suspects were apprehended for their involvement in a kidnapping syndicate.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that the arrests followed coordinated security operations across the state, during which several weapons and other items were recovered.
According to the statement, “One suspect, Obehi Odine (female), aged 18, was arrested for staging her own abduction and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million.
“She confessed to the offence, admitting that the kidnapping was deliberately planned and falsely reported in order to extort money.”
The police spokesperson further revealed that the Command recorded another breakthrough in Ubiaja through a sustained bush-combing operation.
“The Divisional Police Officer in Ubiaja personally led a joint bush-combing exercise around Akwocha Camp and nearby forest routes, in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).
“A hidden forest settlement, identified through aerial surveillance by the drone unit as a suspected kidnapping and logistics base, was raided.”
The operation led to the arrest of 11 male suspects believed to be members of an organised kidnapping gang.
Items recovered from the location included 24 dane guns, 17 cutlasses, three battle axes, gunpowder, torchlights, mobile phones, solar panels, assorted charms, one motorcycle, and a total sum of ₦209,700, among other exhibits.
Reacting to the development, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, cautioned members of the public against filing false kidnapping reports or engaging in deceptive activities.
He explained that such actions waste valuable security resources, divert attention from genuine cases, create public panic, and erode trust in law enforcement.
“Anyone found engaging in such acts will be prosecuted accordingly,” Agbonika warned.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to technology-driven policing, aggressive forest patrols, and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.
He also called on residents to continue supporting the Police by providing timely and credible information to aid crime-fighting efforts.