Operatives of the Anambra State Police command have arrested a 23-year-old woman, named Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, for allegedly faking her own abduction in connivance with her boyfriend, 24-year-old Chibuike Ogbu, in order to extort money from her parents.
The duo were arrested on Friday, 29 August, 2025 by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, with a total of N1.2 million recovered from them as part of the ransom earlier paid by the young woman’s parents.
The Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officers, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, did not give details of the exact location of the arrest, as well as the crime scene and the victims’ place of origin.
Ikenga revealed that the suspects had initially demanded a ransom of N15 million from Nmesoma’s parents but later settled for N3 million, which was transferred into her account.
The statement read: “The suspects identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike (her boyfriend) to stage her own abduction.
“The operatives also recovered the sum of N1,200,000 (one million and two hundred thousand naira), being part of the ransom earlier paid by the girl’s family members.
“Further information reveals that the suspects demanded N15,000,000 (fifteen million naira) ransom, and after negotiation, N3,000,000 (three million naira) was transferred into the victim’s account.”
Anambra State Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu was quoted in the statement as attributing such crimes to rising moral decay in society, warning that many young people are increasingly resorting to criminality for selfish gains.
Orutugu urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to intensify efforts to instil discipline, integrity, and sound values in their children and wards.
