A married mother, identified as Oluchi, whose family asked for public help in raising funds for her ransom payment after she was reported kidnapped, has been found in a hotel with her lover. The family of Mrs. Oluchi believed she had been kidnapped, and her husband, Mr. Tony, reported to the police that his wife was abducted in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Disappearance and Ransom Demand
Oluchi, a businesswoman at Ramat Park in Benin City, Edo State, went missing on May 27, 2026. Subsequently, a phone number contacted the family, claiming that Oluchi had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of 50 million Naira for her release. The family posted a picture of Mrs. Oluchi on social media, appealing for help from the general public. Mrs. Oluchi's daughter, who lives in Canada, led the fundraiser, begging for assistance in rescuing her mother. The Harmony Ladies Club, a club to which Mrs. Oluchi belongs, also joined in soliciting funds to secure her release.
Police Investigation and Discovery
However, investigations by the police led operatives to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the woman was found. According to reports, police tracked the phone number used to demand the ransom, and it led them to one of the suspects in the hotel. When police arrived at the hotel, they met a man identified as Mr. Israel Ability with the allegedly kidnapped woman, Mrs. Oluchi. A source stated, “Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel.” The woman’s husband was later informed of the development after police operatives made the discovery.
Family Reaction
Reacting to the incident in a now-viral video, the woman’s daughter, Anita, expressed shock over the outcome of the investigation, saying the family had been devastated by the development. “My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mum,” she said. Anita stated that the family had worked closely with law enforcement authorities throughout the period of the reported abduction and had not paid any ransom before her mother’s recovery. “We were called that my mum has been released. We didn’t pay the kidnappers. The money is intact. We are going to make a refund. We involved the Police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping,” she said.
She further alleged that investigators informed the family that her mother and another individual had agreed to obtain part of the funds that had already been raised. “They said my mom is involved. They are having a relationship. The guy was traced. They had agreed to take what we already raised to N20m,” she added. Anita described the development as emotionally traumatic for the family. “This has shattered my family. My dad has some health issues. This is so unfortunate,” she stated.
Club Distances Itself
The Harmony Ladies Club also reacted to the development, expressing disappointment over the outcome of the case. They have distanced themselves from Mrs. Oluchi.
Police Confirmation
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Yamu, said four persons had been arrested in connection with the case. “I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have also been arrested in connection with the incident,” he said. Police said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
