The Delta State police command has arrested a woman and her accomplices in connection with a staged kidnapping intended to extort ransom money to cover wedding-related expenses.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the incident occurred on July 21, 2025, when the Command received a report of the alleged abduction of a woman by unidentified gunmen in the Bonsaac area of Asaba.
Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, to launch an intelligence-driven operation.
By July 22, operatives had arrested Alfred Elisha at Koka Roundabout and Ugochukwu Adim off DLA Road in Asaba. During interrogation, Elisha revealed that the abduction was staged in collaboration with the supposed victim.
Further investigation led to the arrest of 29-year-old Merit Eleh, who confessed to orchestrating the fake kidnapping. She admitted that she had borrowed ₦3.6 million from her brother, which she spent on her bridal shower and hotel accommodations for her March 2025 wedding.
To avoid repaying the loan, she faked her kidnapping and successfully collected a ₦3 million ransom—of which ₦500,000 was given to her accomplices, while she kept the remaining ₦2.5 million.
All suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
The Delta State Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating crime in all forms and warned against attempts to manipulate security resources through deceitful means.
