What began as a desperate search for a kidnapped woman has ended in the exposure of an elaborate ransom scam, after operatives of the Edo State Police Command uncovered a plot allegedly masterminded by the supposed victim herself. The police have arrested four suspects in connection with a staged kidnapping scheme designed to extort ₦50 million from family members through a fabricated abduction narrative, complete with ransom negotiations, captivity videos, and the use of a firearm to create the impression of a genuine kidnapping.
Background of the Case
The case came to light on June 1, 2026, when Mr. Tony Ugbowan reported to the police that his wife, Mrs. Oluchi Ugbowan, had been abducted while on her way to her shop along Agbor Road in Benin City. According to the report, the family received calls from an unknown number demanding ₦50 million for her release. Rather than treat the incident as a routine kidnapping case, detectives from the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an intensive investigation, deploying intelligence gathering and technical tracking tools to verify the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.
Breakthrough in the Investigation
The breakthrough came with the arrest of 28-year-old Israel Ability at Ramat Park, Benin City. Investigators recovered the missing woman’s mobile phone from him, a discovery that immediately raised questions about the authenticity of the kidnap claim. Under interrogation, Ability reportedly confessed that he was recruited by Mrs. Ugbowan to negotiate ransom payments from her family while presenting her as a kidnap victim.
Following the confession, police operatives tracked Mrs. Ugbowan to a hotel in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, where she was arrested on June 5. During questioning, she allegedly admitted to orchestrating the entire scheme and subsequently led investigators to another suspect, 38-year-old Ochukwudem Uwadia. Further findings revealed that Uwadia’s residence served as the location where disturbing videos of the purported victim were produced and circulated to family members.
Details of the Staged Kidnapping
In the recordings, Mrs. Ugbowan appeared with her hands and feet tied while a firearm was pointed at her head to create the illusion of captivity. Police said the individual seen brandishing the weapon in the videos was identified as Chibuzor Ochukwudem, the 18-year-old son of the suspect. A search conducted at the premises led to the recovery of an automatic pump-action gun allegedly used during the production of the ransom videos.
Police Response and Warning
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the operatives for exposing what he described as an elaborate criminal deception. He reiterated that every reported kidnapping case is treated with utmost seriousness and warned that false kidnap claims not only constitute criminal offences but also divert vital security resources away from genuine victims. The Command urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and avoid involvement in schemes capable of causing public panic or undermining security operations. All suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
