The Delta State Police Command’s Special Anti-kidnapping and Cyber-crime Squad has successfully arrested a woman who faked her own kidnapping, along with her accomplice, after they demanded a ransom of N2 million from her parents. The police also recovered the full ransom amount from the suspects.
The incident came to light when Mrs. Joy Oliko reported her daughter, Princess Okolie, missing on December 30, 2024. According to the police, the mother was informed the following day that her daughter had been kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N2 million for her release.
“The next day, the parents received a call that their daughter had been kidnapped, and they were asked for N2 million,” explained the State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe.
He further stated that the Delta State Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately directed the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cyber-crime Squad to take action to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.
CSP Labe Joseph, the Commander of the squad, led operatives in a meticulous investigation.
“Our team began an intelligence-led investigation into the case, and soon we were able to track the suspects,” said Edafe.
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The breakthrough came when Prince Atigbi, the accomplice, was arrested after collecting the ransom. When questioned, Atigbi claimed he was not a real kidnapper but had only been following the plan laid out by his girlfriend, Princess Okolie. This revelation led to Okolie’s arrest. Upon interrogation, Okolie admitted to orchestrating the fake kidnapping herself, with the goal of extorting money from her parents.
The police spokesperson confirmed that both suspects are currently in custody, and the full ransom of N2 million has been recovered.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and further details will be provided as they come,” Edafe added.
In the wake of the arrests, Commissioner Olufemi Abaniwonda urged parents and guardians to take their children’s upbringing seriously.
“It is important that children are raised in a good and godly environment so that they do not grow up to be a burden to their parents or society,” he said.