Awkuzu, Anambra State, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force in southeastern Nigeria has uncovered a staged kidnapping plot involving an 18-year-old victim and her boyfriend, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of multiple items linked to the crime.
Okay News reports that the operation was carried out by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu, a town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, following several ongoing investigations over the past two weeks.
Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made on Saturday, March 14, 2026, after investigators uncovered a conspiracy involving Chinedu Chineye Nwobi, aged 25, and Okwudili Nweke, also aged 25.
According to the police, the victim, Miss Mmesoma Ifediora, aged 18, was found unharmed in a forest known locally as “Malaysia Forest” in Iruayika, Awkuzu.
During questioning, she admitted that the kidnapping had been staged in collaboration with her boyfriend, Obiora Okoye, also known as “Stainless,” with the aim of extorting ₦3,000,000 (about $1,900) from her parents. Authorities confirmed that her parents had already paid ₦240,000 (about $150) into her Opay account as part of the ransom demand.
Investigators further revealed that the victim and her boyfriend had taken an oath of secrecy and moved between locations for about two months to sustain the deception. The boyfriend fled upon seeing police officers and remains at large.
Items recovered from the suspects include 10 SIM cards, one MTN 4G WiFi device, two female garments, a traditional ritual calabash, a mobile phone, a necklace, a bandage used to restrain the victim, and computer cables.
In a separate development, police said another suspect, Chukwuebuka Eze, aged 24, was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in connection with a real kidnapping case in Obosi, also in Anambra State. Authorities identified him as a gang leader involved in an incident where victims were released after a ransom payment of ₦150,000 (about $95), while their belongings were stolen.
Police recovered a locally made double-barrel shotgun, five live cartridges, and a Redmi mobile phone from the suspect. He has reportedly confessed to the crime and provided information about other gang members still at large.
The police said all suspects will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
