Ondo Police uncover ‘self-kidnapping’ plot to extort relatives abroad

The Ondo State Police Command has exposed a bizarre case of staged kidnapping involving a married couple in Ondo City, a scheme designed to defraud family members living abroad.

The suspects, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, 42, and her husband, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, 62, both residents of Road 5, Power Line, Ondo City, are now in police custody.

According to a statement from the command, the elaborate plot began on August 23, 2025, when Mrs. Taiwo locked herself in a room at their home.

Simultaneously, her husband, Pastor Joshua, began contacting relatives, claiming his wife had been abducted by gunmen who were demanding a ransom of N10 million.

The scheme started to fall apart when a suspicious relative, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, filed a petition with the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal.

Acting on the petition, the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) and officers from the Enu-Owa Division stormed the couple’s residence. Upon entry, they found Mrs. Taiwo, who initially claimed she had just been released after a ransom of N5 million was paid.

However, during interrogation, her story unraveled. Mrs. Taiwo confessed that the entire kidnapping had been staged with her husband’s help.

She admitted that the plan was to extort money from their relatives overseas to settle personal debts and cover other expenses. Both suspects are now facing legal action.

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In a statement signed by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the Police Public Relations Officer, the command reaffirmed its commitment to fighting all forms of crime, whether genuine or staged.

The statement credited the successful operation to the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal and the crime-fighting strategies implemented under the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.

The police also thanked local forest hunters and residents for their cooperation, urging the public to continue providing credible information.

“We appreciate the good people of Ondo State who continue to volunteer credible information that has guided police operations. All information shared will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” the statement added.

CP Lawal assured residents that the command would not rest until Ondo State is free of all criminal elements.