The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old woman, Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, and three alleged accomplices for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in a bid to extort ₦50 million from her husband.

Police said the suspects were apprehended following an investigation by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, which uncovered what authorities described as a carefully coordinated scheme involving fake ransom demands, staged hostage videos, and the use of a firearm to make the abduction appear genuine.

According to the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the investigation began after Mrs. Ugbowan’s husband, Mr. Tony Ugbowan, reported that his wife had allegedly been abducted by armed men near Ramat Park along Agbor Road in Benin City.

Shortly after the reported abduction, the family began receiving calls from unidentified persons demanding a ransom of ₦50 million for her release.

However, police said detectives identified inconsistencies in the kidnappers’ claims and launched a technology-driven investigation that eventually exposed the alleged hoax.

Investigators traced one of the suspects, identified as 28-year-old Israel Ability, to Ramat Park, where he was arrested. Police recovered Mrs. Ugbowan’s mobile phone from him.

During interrogation, Ability allegedly confessed that Mrs. Ugbowan had recruited him to act as the ransom negotiator and that no kidnapping had taken place.

The confession led detectives to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where Mrs. Ugbowan was found safe and unharmed.

Further investigations led police to the residence of another suspect, Ochukwudem Uwadia, in Delta State. According to ASP Ikoedem, the house was allegedly used to produce the fake hostage videos that were sent to the victim’s family.

Police said the videos showed Mrs. Ugbowan with her hands and legs tied while an 18-year-old suspect, identified as Chibuzor Uwadia, allegedly pointed a pump-action shotgun at her head to create the impression that her life was in danger.

Officers recovered the firearm believed to have been used during the recording of the videos.

The four suspects currently in police custody are Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, alleged mastermind of the plot; Israel Ability, the alleged ransom negotiator; Ochukwudem Uwadia, whose residence was allegedly used for the recordings; and his son, Chibuzor Uwadia, who police say appeared in the videos holding the firearm.

Commenting on the development, Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, condemned the alleged scheme, warning that staged kidnappings divert security resources from genuine emergencies and undermine efforts to combat violent crime.

He said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The police also urged members of the public to avoid making false kidnapping reports or participating in similar criminal schemes, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.