Edo Woman Arrested for Faking Her Own Kidnapping, Demanding ₦5m Ransom from Husband

Chioma Ezebie Adaniken, 27, allegedly conspired with her cousin to stage her own kidnapping and demand a ₦5 million ransom from her husband.

By Bukola Kuteyi

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Chioma Ezebie Adaniken, for allegedly staging her own abduction and demanding a ₦5 million ransom from her husband.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said Chioma conspired with her cousin and one other accomplice to fake her kidnapping.

According to the statement, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that its operatives attached to the New Etete Division, Benin City, have successfully uncovered and apprehended suspects involved in a case of self-kidnapping, following diligent investigation and coordinated intelligence operations.”

The police said the case began on October 27, 2025, when Mr. Paul Adaniken, a resident of No. 111 Limit Road, off Sapele Road, Benin City, reported that his wife and 3-year-old son, Andrea Ojiezelabor, had been kidnapped.

He told the police that he received a phone call around midday from an unknown number informing him that his wife and child had been abducted, and the kidnappers were demanding a ₦5 million ransom for their release.

Detectives from the New Etete Division immediately launched an investigation, while the Anti-Kidnapping Unit conducted a full-scale cyber analysis. Their findings revealed that the alleged victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey, aged 33, who was pretending to assist in the investigation, was actually complicit in the crime.

Godfrey’s confession led to the arrest of Chioma, who admitted to staging her own abduction with the intention of extorting money from her husband.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the officers for their swift and tactical operation that exposed the deceit. He also warned members of the public against such criminal acts, stressing that they are capable of undermining public peace and wasting police resources.

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