Reasons Bride Faked Her Own Kidnap in Asaba

By our Correspondent

Wonders shall never as a 29-year-old woman, Merit Eleh, who recently got married for about four months ago, is now cooling her feet in police custody for allegedly faking her own kidnap so as to raise money to settle a personal debt of ₦3.6 million.

The case unfolded in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, after police received a report on July 21, 2025, that Eleh had been abducted by unknown assailants around the Bonsaac area.

Acting on the report, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered an immediate investigation. The Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, launched a swift and coordinated operation to ensure the victim’s safe return.

During the course of the investigation, two men identified as Alfred Elisha and Ugochukwu Adim were taken into custody. Elisha was arrested at Koka Roundabout, and Adim was picked up along DLA Road early the next morning, around 9:00 am on July 22.

“Upon arrest, one of the suspects confessed that it was not an actual kidnapping but a plot between himself and the supposed victim,” said SP Bright Edafe, the state police spokesperson.

Following the confession, the woman at the center of the case—Merit Eleh—was also detained. During questioning, she admitted to planning the fake kidnapping in an attempt to collect ₦3 million from her family. According to her statement, she gave ₦500,000 to her collaborators and kept the remaining ₦2.5 million for herself.

She explained that the money was meant to repay her brother, who had lent her ₦3.6 million earlier in the year. The loan, she said, was used to fund her bridal shower and to pay for hotel expenses during her wedding in March 2025.

“All suspects involved have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing,” Edafe added. He confirmed that legal proceedings will follow once the inquiry is concluded.

The suspect named Alice got married march 2025, her brother gave her #3,600,000 to help him purchase a tricycle, but she used the money for her bridal shower and hotel expenses for her friends during her wedding. Fast forward july 2025, she needed to pay back the money, guess… pic.twitter.com/1ma4VFeCHi

— SP. Bright Edafe (@Brightgoldenboy) July 28, 2025