Police operatives in Enugu State have apprehended a 26-year-old man for orchestrating his own kidnapping and demanding a hefty ransom of thirty-five million naira from his family.
Father Reports Son Missing, Receives Ransom Demand
The bizarre incident began when the suspect's father walked into the Trans-Ekulu Police Division on November 24, 2025. He reported that his son, Chibuike Joshua Ugwuja, a private security guard at an estate in Trans-Ekulu, had left for work on November 22 and never returned home.
The worried father further informed the police that a message had been sent via Facebook to a female neighbour. The message, allegedly from Ugwuja, claimed he had been abducted by unknown persons in a commercial vehicle. The supposed kidnappers were demanding a ransom from his family.
Investigation Unravels the Hoax
Following the report, police launched an intensive investigation and search operation to locate and rescue the alleged victim. However, their efforts soon took a strange turn.
While the manhunt was ongoing, Ugwuja was surprisingly produced at the police station by his own father on November 30, 2025, around 2 p.m. This development came after days of sustained police work to track his movements.
Confession Reveals Frustration as Motive
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the elaborate scheme. According to the police, Ugwuja disclosed that after closing from work, he did not go home. Instead, he went to stay with a friend at Amorji Nike, Enugu.
From this location, he allegedly devised the plan and began demanding the N35 million ransom from his family. He eventually returned home on November 29 at about 9 a.m., after failing to secure any money.
The police stated that the suspect attributed his actions to frustration over his uncle's alleged inability to help him purchase a tricycle (Keke NAPEP).
Police Vow to Prosecute, Commissioner Condemns Act
The Enugu State Police Command has taken Ugwuja into custody and stated he will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring individuals who abuse public trust and cause unnecessary panic face the law.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, described the incident as "a regrettable height of criminality." He commended the parents for reporting the matter and producing their son instead of concealing him.
"The law will take its full course," Giwa assured. He also urged the public to always report suspected kidnapping cases to the police and cooperate with security agencies, warning against rushing to pay ransom. The police advised citizens to avoid actions that could trigger fear and panic within society.
