Edo Police Expose Housewife’s Fake Kidnap Plot, Arrest Cousin and Accomplices

The Edo State Police Command has uncovered a case of a staged kidnapping allegedly masterminded by a 27-year-old housewife, Chioma Adaniken, in a bid to extort ₦5 million from her husband.

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, Chioma conspired with her 33-year-old cousin, Osita Godfrey, and others to fake her abduction along with her three-year-old son, Andrea Ojiezelabor.

Her husband, Paul Adaniken, had on October 27, 2025, reported to the New Etete Police Division in Benin City that his wife and child had been kidnapped while he was away at work. The alleged abductors demanded ₦5 million as ransom for their release.

The police, acting swiftly, launched covert and cyber-led investigations, which revealed that Godfrey—who had posed as an intermediary negotiating with the supposed kidnappers—was actually part of the criminal scheme.

The police statement read:

“Detectives from New Etete Division, supported by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, conducted an intelligence-led operation that revealed startling details. The victim’s cousin, Osita Godfrey, who was believed to be helping with information, was arrested and found complicit in the crime. His confession led to the arrest of the supposed victim, Chioma, who conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction in order to extort money from her husband.”

Another suspect, Martins Chidozie (23), was also arrested in connection with the plot.

The ₦5 million ransom earlier paid was recovered, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Opinion Nigeria News