Married woman who faked kidnap nabbed with lover in hotel

A woman identified as Oluchi, whose family reported her being kidnapped in Edo State, has been found with her lover in a hotel in Delta State. The development comes after relatives and associates launched efforts to secure her release following ransom demands reportedly made after her disappearance. Family members had earlier informed the police that […]

A woman identified as Oluchi, whose family reported her being kidnapped in Edo State, has been found with her lover in a hotel in Delta State.

The development comes after relatives and associates launched efforts to secure her release following ransom demands reportedly made after her disappearance.

Family members had earlier informed the police that Oluchi was abducted in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Her children, including a daughter based in Canada, had appealed to the public for assistance in raising funds after the suspected kidnappers allegedly demanded N50 million ransom, which was later reduced to N20 million.

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However, investigations by the police led operatives to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the woman was found.

Punch quoted a source familiar with the investigation as saying police tracked a phone number linked to one of the suspects to the hotel.

“Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel,” the source said.

According to the source, the woman’s husband was later informed of the development after police operatives made the discovery.

Reacting to the incident in a now-viral video, the woman’s daughter, Anita, expressed shock over the outcome of the investigation, saying the family had been devastated by the development.

“My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mom,” she said.

Anita said the family had worked closely with law enforcement authorities throughout the period of the reported abduction and had not paid any ransom before her mother’s recovery.

“We were called that my mum has been released. We didn’t pay the kidnappers. The money is intact. We are going to make a refund. We involved the Police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping,” she said.

She further alleged that investigators informed the family that her mother and another individual had agreed to obtain part of the funds that had already been raised.

“They said my mom is involved. They are having a relationship. The guy was traced. They had agreed to take what we already raised to N20m,” she said.

Anita described the development as emotionally traumatic for the family.

“This has shattered my family. My dad has some health issues. This is so unfortunate,” she stated.

The Harmony Ladies Club, a social group to which Anita belongs, also reacted to the development, expressing disappointment over the outcome of the case.

In a statement circulated on its WhatsApp platform, the group said its members had provided emotional, logistical and financial support after learning of the reported abduction.

“When news of her alleged abduction broke, the club acted swiftly in good faith. Out of sisterhood, love, and a sense of community responsibility, we rallied immediately,” the statement read.

The group added that it was shocked by findings from the police investigation.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Yamu, 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 also been arrested in connection with the incident,” he said.

Police said investigations into the matter are ongoing.