A 29-year-old housewife, Merit Eleh, has been arrested by the police in Delta State for faking her own kidnap and collecting a ransom of N3 million from her husband.
Eleh, who was paraded by the police on Monday, confessed during interrogation that she orchestrated the fake abduction to repay a N3.6 million loan she took from her brother to fund her wedding in March 2025.
The money, originally meant for the purchase of a tricycle, was diverted to cover expenses such as her bridal shower and hotel bills.
“I was just thinking of a way to raise the money and I didn’t see any other option,” she said.
“So, I decided to fake my kidnap.”
The suspect reportedly planned the hoax with the help of one of her accomplices, a security guard at a former place of work.
ALSO READ: Sokoto govt unveils 30 new e-ticketing buses
Spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, explained that on July 20, the suspect told her husband she was on her way home. Moments later, he received news that she had been kidnapped.
“A ransom of N3 million was paid,” Edafe said.
“But the husband didn’t give up. He continued to follow up on the case he had earlier reported to the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad.”
Following intensified investigations, the police unraveled the truth after one of the accomplices confessed.
A statement by the police reads: “On 21st July 2025 at about 8:30 p.m., the Delta State Police Command received a report of a kidnapping incident involving a female victim who was allegedly abducted by unknown gunmen in the Bonsaac area of Asaba.
“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Commander of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, CSP Godwin Osadolor, to ensure the victim was rescued unharmed.
“Based on intelligence-led operations, the team arrested one Alfred Elisha at Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu Adim, off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m.”
During interrogation, one of the suspects revealed that the alleged victim was complicit in the staged abduction. This led to the arrest of Merit Eleh, who confessed to orchestrating the act.
She told investigators that she gave her accomplices N500,000 out of the N3 million ransom and kept N2.5 million for herself.
All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
- Let’s Talk About SELF-AWARENESS
- Is Your Confidence Mistaken for Pride? Let’s talk about it
- Is Etiquette About Perfection…Or Just Not Being Rude?
- Top Psychologist Reveal 3 Signs You’re Struggling With Imposter Syndrome
- Do You Pick Up Work-Related Calls at Midnight or Never? Let’s Talk About Boundaries
and then