Woman Who Allegedly Staged Own Kidnap Found in Delta Hotel with Lover

By Margaret Abah

A married woman identified as Oluchi has been found in a hotel in Delta State after allegedly staging her own abduction and demanding a ransom of ₦50 million from her family.

The incident, which initially sparked public sympathy and fundraising efforts, took a dramatic turn after police investigations revealed that the purported victim was staying in a hotel with her alleged lover.

Prior to the discovery, Oluchi’s children, including her daughter Anita, who resides in Canada, had appealed to the public for assistance in raising funds for her release. According to the family, the alleged kidnappers had initially demanded ₦50 million before reducing the ransom to ₦20 million.

The family had reported to the police that Oluchi was abducted in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

However, investigations by a police crack team reportedly led operatives to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the woman was found alongside a man believed to be her lover.

A source familiar with the investigation disclosed that police traced the suspect through his phone number and located both individuals in the hotel.

“Police traced the man’s number to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They found him and the supposedly kidnapped woman in the hotel. The husband was later informed, and the police broke the news to him at the station. The woman reportedly pleaded with her husband not to disclose the true circumstances to their children,” the source said.

Reacting to the development in an online video, Anita expressed shock and disappointment, describing the incident as devastating for the family.

She said she had acted solely out of concern for her mother’s safety and never suspected that the kidnapping claim was fabricated.

“My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mum. The family is in shock. This is not right. This has shattered my family,” she said.

Anita further stated that no ransom was paid and that any money raised during the fundraising campaign would be refunded.

She added that the family had involved the police from the outset and would allow the law to take its course.

Meanwhile, the Harmony Ladies Club, a social group to which Anita belongs, has distanced itself from the incident.

In a statement circulated on its WhatsApp platform and made available to journalists, the club expressed disappointment, shock and embarrassment over the development.

The group said it had mobilised emotional, logistical and financial support in good faith after learning of the alleged abduction.

“It is with a profound sense of betrayal that we have now discovered, through investigations, that the entire kidnapping incident was staged by Mrs. Oluchi herself,” the statement read.

Confirming the incident, Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, 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 been arrested in connection with the incident,” she stated.

Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.