A SS2 student of a private secondary school on Watchman Street in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, faked her own kidnapping and demanded a ransom of N2million from her family.
The 16-year-old girl allegedly contacted her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped.
The spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Joshua Ukandu, who disclosed to reporters on Monday, May 12, 2025 said that a family friend helped her plan the hoax.
According to the PPRO, the teenager is a native of Izzi Local Government Area and was due to return to school for the third term on Saturday.
The girl told police she had gone to buy second-hand clothes, known locally as ‘Okirika’, when someone tapped her from behind.
She claimed to have lost consciousness and woke up the next day at Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
She added that she often dreams of being kidnapped, and her mother regularly prayed against it.
Upon regaining consciousness, she asked for directions back to Abakaliki town.
Instead of returning home, she went to the house of a family friend who had no idea she was missing.
Using the man’s phone, she messaged her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded N2 million ransom.
Her brother asked to speak with the kidnappers and requested their location, but she refused and blocked his number.
Later, she unblocked his number and sent an account number belonging to the family friend hosting her.
Unfortunately for her, the phone was tracked. Police raided the house and arrested everyone involved in the plot.
Ukandu confirmed that the command has launched a full investigation into the incident.
The girl has since been reunited with her family, though the matter remains under police investigation due to her age.