The Edo State Police Command mentioned it has arrested a lady, Chioma Ezebie Adaniken and her confederate for faking her kidnap.
In an announcement launched on Tuesday, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, mentioned that the girl connived along with her cousin and one different suspect, demanding N5 million for her launch.
The assertion learn, “The Edo State Police Command needs to tell most of the people that its operatives connected to New Etete Division, Benin Metropolis, have efficiently uncovered and apprehended suspects concerned in a case of self-kidnapping, following diligent investigation and coordinated intelligence operations.
“On twenty seventh October, 2025, one Paul Adaniken ‘m’, of No. 111 Restrict Street, off Sapele Street, Benin Metropolis, reported at New Etete Police Division that at about 07:30hrs, he left his spouse, Chioma Success Ezebie ‘f’, aged 27, and their 3-year-old son, Andrea Ojiezelabor ‘m’, at house earlier than continuing to his store.
“Later that day, at about noon, he acquired a telephone name from an unknown quantity informing him that his spouse and son had been kidnapped, with the abductors demanding a ransom of ₦5m for his or her launch.
“Upon receipt of the grievance, detectives from New Etete Division instantly commenced investigations, whereas the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a full-scale cyber evaluation and the intelligence-led operations that yielded a significant breakthrough revealing startling particulars: the sufferer’s cousin, Osita Godfrey ‘m’, aged 33, who was earlier believed to be helping with data, was arrested and located to be complicit within the crime.
“His confessional assertion led to the arrest of the supposed sufferer, Chioma Adaniken ‘f’, aged 27, who conspired along with her accomplices to stage her personal abduction to be able to extort cash from her husband.
“One other suspect, Martins Chidozie ‘m’, aged 23, was additionally arrested in reference to the crime. All suspects have made helpful confessional statements, ransom of N5 million recovered, and the case has been transferred to the State Legal Investigation Division for additional investigation and onward prosecution.”
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, recommended the officers of the New Etete Division for his or her swift and tactical response, which led to the unravelling of this deceitful act.
He warned residents to desist from acts able to undermining public peace whereas emphasising that the command would proceed to deploy intelligence and technology-driven methods to fight crime in all types.
In latest instances, the state command has arrested a number of criminals, guaranteeing that those that have instances to reply are charged to courtroom after investigation.
On March 28, 2025, an offended mob killed seven travellers in Uromi, Edo Central, over their suspected involvement in kidnapping. Weapons had been discovered within the truck taking them to the northern a part of the nation, which triggered the lynching of about 16 of them, with seven dying within the course of.
This has not deterred the kidnapping of extra residents, as a retired headmaster recognized as Mr Eliaser Olorunloju was not too long ago kidnapped close to a Fulani settlement between Sasaro and Ayetoro alongside the dilapidated Igarra- Uneme-Nekhua– Ibillo highway in Akoko-Edo native authorities.
It was gathered final Monday that his abductors have reportedly contacted the household and demanded N70 million as ransom.