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What started as a desperate search for an allegedly kidnapped woman has taken a dramatic turn after police investigators reportedly found her safe in a hotel in Delta State, allegedly spending time with her lover while her family members and sympathizers struggled to raise millions of naira for her release.
The woman, identified as Mrs Oluchi, was reportedly abducted in the Ikpoba Hills area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, sparking widespread concern among relatives, friends and supporters both in Nigeria and abroad.
His family members, including his daughter who lives in Canada, have appealed to the public for help after the suspected kidnappers initially demanded N50 million and later reduced the ransom demand to N20 million.
However, investigations carried out by security officials reportedly revealed a different narrative.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, police traced the phone number of a man allegedly linked to the incident to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the two men eventually ended up.
The source said, “The police traced the man’s number to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the kidnapped man and woman inside the hotel. They called the husband, and he was happy. It was at the station that the police broke the news to him. The wife begged the husband not to tell his children what really happened.”
This revelation has left family members devastated, especially her daughter, Anita, who actively campaigned online for support and assistance while she believed her mother was being held hostage.
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In an emotional video posted online after learning the results of the investigation, Anita described the discovery as heartbreaking and said the incident had caused great harm to her family.
According to him, “My mother has been released. My mother was involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mother. My family is in shock. This is not right. This has destroyed my family. My father has some health problems. This is very unfortunate. What did I do wrong?
“My reputation has been ruined. I’m at a loss for words. I’m so angry. I had nothing to do with this. I never knew. I just want my mother back home. The law will take action. I’m sorry this happened. I just did what any daughter would do. My family has been destroyed.
“We were told that my mother has been released. We did not pay the kidnappers. The money is still intact. We will make a refund. We involved the Police from the start. We now know that this was not a real kidnapping. They said my mother was involved. They were in a relationship. The man was traced. They agreed to take what we had collected to the tune of N20 million.”
This controversy also sparked a reaction from the Harmony Ladies Club, a social group that houses Anita. The organization publicly distanced itself from the incident and expressed disappointment with the results of the investigation.
In a statement circulated among its members and later provided to journalists, the group said it had mobilized significant support after receiving news of the alleged kidnapping.
The statement read, “When news of his alleged abduction broke, the club acted quickly in good faith. Out of brotherhood, love and a sense of community responsibility, we immediately came together.
“Our members provided extensive emotional, logistical and financial support during what we believe to be a life-threatening crisis, and carried a heavy burden of anxiety with their families.
“It is with a deep sense of betrayal that we have now discovered, through investigation, that the entire kidnapping incident was carried out by Mrs. Oluchi herself.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with the matter.
Command Spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said that investigators were still working and a number of suspects had been detained.
He added, “I can confirm the incident and also inform you that four people have also been arrested in connection with the incident.”
The case has generated widespread public reaction, especially as it involved emotional pleas for financial assistance and public support before investigators uncovered what police now believe was a carefully planned fraud.
Authorities are expected to continue their investigation as legal proceedings against those involved in the alleged plot continue.
