Police Arrest Man For Faking His Own Kidnapping To Extort N25m From His Family

According to Ireporter Online, the Delta State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man identified as Michael James for allegedly staging his own kidnapping in a bid to extort N25 million from his family, while also rescuing a two-week-old baby from suspected child traffickers in separate operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing held in Asaba on Saturday, noting that the command also arrested two individuals for allegedly spreading false information on social media linking police operatives to a fatal road crash in Ughelli.

According to the police chief, Michael James reportedly left his home on July 1 under the guise of disposing of refuse but failed to return, prompting his family to declare him missing and report that kidnappers had demanded a N25 million ransom. Acting on intelligence, police operatives tracked and combed surrounding bush areas before the suspect reappeared, claiming he had escaped from his supposed abductors. He was subsequently arrested and later confessed to staging the abduction after mismanaging funds given to him by his sister, saying he intended to replace the money. He remains in custody.

In another development, the command arrested Egoh Best Akpobome, 35, and Omonigho Jitobor, 42, for allegedly fabricating and circulating false reports on social media accusing police personnel of involvement in a fatal accident along the Ughelli-Patani Expressway on June 27. CP Oyeniyi clarified that investigations revealed the crash involved a civilian driving an unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV, which collided with a commercial tricycle, killing a 51-year-old woman, Catherine Umokoro, and injuring four others, stressing that no police officer or vehicle was involved.

The police also rescued a two-week-old baby boy in a separate child trafficking operation and arrested two women, Evelyn Otubo and Esther Joseph, in connection with the incident. The baby’s mother reportedly said she was misled by a woman identified as “Mama” into believing her child would be taken to an orphanage, but she was later denied access to the baby. Investigations led operatives to the suspects who were allegedly preparing to sell the child to a buyer. The infant was rescued unharmed and reunited with his mother.

CP Oyeniyi urged residents to remain vigilant against child trafficking and warned against deceptive schemes, including staged kidnappings for financial gain. He also confirmed that 31 vehicles were impounded during a coordinated enforcement operation in Agbor on July 3 for offences including plate number violations, expired documents, and other traffic infractions. He added that the exercise, which covered Agbor metropolis and adjoining highways and border communities between Delta and Edo States, would continue as part of broader efforts to enhance public safety and enforce compliance with traffic laws.