By Attah Ede
The Anambra State Police Command on Sunday said it has arrested a 22-year-old woman, identified as Nwachukwu Blessing, for allegedly faking her own kidnapping and obtaining N3 million ransom from her family.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press statement released on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Awka.
SP Ikenga explained that the suspect was arrested on Friday by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence.
According to him, the suspect allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as “Onyinye” and another male accomplice, whose identity is currently unknown, to stage her own kidnapping and obtain money from her family.
He further stated that the suspect was said to have been kidnapped along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on August 29, but despite the payment of N3 million ransom by her family, she was allegedly not released, prompting further investigation by the police.
The PPRO added that following sustained intelligence gathering and investigative efforts, police operatives, on the afternoon of September 18, 2026, traced and located the alleged victim in a room in Asaba, Delta State, where she was recovered.
“The suspect was arrested by Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence received in the course of an investigation into a reported kidnapping incident.
“The lady was reportedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on 29th August 2026. However, despite the payment of N3 million ransom by her family, she was allegedly not released, prompting further investigation by the Police.
“Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that the lady allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as Onyinye, whose other names are yet to be established, and another male accomplice, whose identity is presently unknown, to stage her own kidnapping and obtain money from her family.”
According to Ikenga, the arrested suspect is currently assisting the police with useful information towards establishing the full circumstances of the incident, as well as identifying and apprehending her alleged accomplices.
In the statement, Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, as having ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
