The Delta State Police Command has arrested a woman who allegedly faked her own kidnapping to collect a N3 million ransom, which she used to pay off wedding-related expenses.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, made this known on Monday in Asaba, stating that the arrest was part of the command’s continued success in fighting crime across the state.
“On July 21, 2025, the Delta State Police Command received a report of a kidnapping incident involving a female victim who was abducted by unknown armed men in the Ajaji (Bonsaac) Layout of Asaba,” Edafe said.
Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed Commander Godwin Osadolor of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad to secure the victim’s safe return.
A tactical operation led to the arrest of one suspect, Alfred Elisha, at Koka Roundabout, Asaba, followed by another suspect, Ugochukwu Adim, off DLA Road, on July 22, 2025.
“Upon arrest of the suspects, he confessed that it was not a case of an actual kidnapping but a plot between the victim and himself. His revelation led to the arrest of the other suspect, Merit Eleh, 29 years old,” Edafe explained.
The female suspect, Merit Eleh, later admitted she faked her own abduction to raise funds after borrowing N3.6 million from her brother to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel bills during her wedding in March 2025.
“She confessed that the money loaned to her by her brother of about N3.6m she used it to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding, which took place in March 2025.”
According to the police spokesperson:
“She faked her kidnap and received a ransom of N3m and gave her accomplices N500,000, and she took N2.5m for herself.”
All parties involved have now been apprehended, and the case is under further investigation.
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