Married woman nabbed in hotel after faking kidnap confesses

A woman found with her lover in a hotel after a false alarm about her being kidnapped has confessed. The woman, identified as Oluchi Ugbowan, made the disclosure after her arrest by operatives of the Edo State Police Command. She was arrested alongside several other suspects following investigations into her reported abduction. The disappearance had […]

A woman found with her lover in a hotel after a false alarm about her being kidnapped has confessed.

The woman, identified as Oluchi Ugbowan, made the disclosure after her arrest by operatives of the Edo State Police Command.

She was arrested alongside several other suspects following investigations into her reported abduction.

The disappearance had initially sparked concern among family members and residents, who believed she had been kidnapped.

Before the alleged plot was uncovered, relatives had raised alarm over her whereabouts and appealed for help.

The family was also said to have pleaded for a reduction in a N50 million ransom allegedly demanded by her supposed abductors.

However, investigations took a different turn after detectives traced the phone number used for the ransom negotiations.

The trail led police to a hotel in the Ubiaroko area of Delta State.

Officers subsequently found Ugbowan in the company of a man identified as Israel Ability.

The discovery effectively ended the search operation and transformed the missing person case into a criminal investigation.

Speaking while being paraded by police, Ugbowan denied being kidnapped.

“I was not kidnapped, but I went into hiding,” she said.

According to her, “the scheme was conceived as a way of obtaining money to settle debts that had become overwhelming”.

She said discussions were held on how to make the alleged abduction appear genuine to family members.

The suspect disclosed that she recruited some young men to help stage scenes that would strengthen the kidnap narrative.

She said a video was later recorded to portray her as being held captive by kidnappers.

The recording, she noted, included threats intended to convince relatives that her life was in danger.

Ugbowan claimed she suggested that a cutlass be placed around her neck during the filming.

She added that the use of a gun was later introduced after she learned one was available.

According to her, the intention was to make the evidence appear more convincing and encourage quicker negotiations.

“My mindset was that if they saw stronger evidence, they would come up with a better negotiation,” she said.

The suspect linked her actions to pressure from creditors and loan recovery agents.

She admitted hoping that any money eventually raised from the negotiations would be used to offset her debts.

Also speaking during the parade, Ability admitted participating in the scheme.

The 28-year-old said Ugbowan approached him for assistance and repeatedly sought his involvement.

He told police he “purchased the SIM card allegedly used for ransom calls”.

Ability also said he accompanied the woman to a hotel where calls were made to her family members.

“She said I should call her husband directly to ask for money,” he said.

He admitted demanding N50 million from the victim’s husband during one of the calls.

According to him, there was no prior agreement on how any proceeds would be shared.

However, he acknowledged that he expected to benefit if the plan succeeded.

Ability expressed regret over his role in the incident.

He said he never anticipated the matter would escalate into a criminal case.

Another suspect, 18-year-old Chinedu Chibuzor, claimed he was unaware of the true nature of the operation.

He told police he believed he was participating in a drama presentation.

Chibuzor said he was the individual seen in the video pointing a gun at Ugbowan.

“I was told it was a church drama,” he said.

Police also paraded the father of the two brothers.

The man admitted ownership of the firearm used during the recording.

He explained that the weapon had been acquired by family members to support his activities as a vigilante.

The suspect, however, acknowledged that the firearm was not licensed.

He also confirmed that the video was recorded inside his residence.

The Edo State Police Command has yet to announce the specific charges that may be filed against the suspects.

Investigations into the matter are continuing.