22-Year-Old Woman Arrested Over Alleged Self-Kidnapping After ₦3m Ransom Payment

Police in Anambra State have arrested a 22-year-old woman, Nwachukwu Chidubem Blessing, over an alleged case of conspiracy, fraud and self-kidnapping after her family reportedly paid ₦3 million in ransom.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to Ikenga, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, arrested Blessing following intelligence gathered during an investigation into a reported kidnapping incident.

He said the woman was reportedly abducted along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway on August 29, 2026.

Ikenga explained that the investigation intensified after the family reportedly paid ₦3 million in ransom without securing her release.

He said sustained intelligence gathering eventually led police operatives to the alleged victim in Asaba, Delta State, on the afternoon of September 18, 2026.

“Following sustained intelligence gathering and investigative efforts, Police Operatives, in the afternoon of September 18, 2026, traced and located the alleged victim in a room in Asaba, Delta State, where she was recovered,” the police spokesperson stated.

According to the police, preliminary findings indicated that Blessing allegedly conspired with a female associate identified as Onyinye, whose other names have not yet been established, as well as another male accomplice whose identity remains unknown, to stage the alleged kidnapping and obtain money from her family.

The police said the arrested woman is currently assisting investigators with information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the alleged accomplices.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the other suspects allegedly connected to the case.