Mrs Oluchi Ugbowan says mounting debts drove her to stage her own abduction as Edo Police warn against false kidnapping reports that strain security resources
Mrs Oluchi Ugbowan, a 45-year-old Edo State resident, has admitted orchestrating her own kidnapping in a dramatic attempt to raise money to offset mounting debts, following an investigation by the Edo State Police Command that exposed what authorities described as a carefully planned ransom scam.
The revelation emerged in Benin City earlier this month after police operatives uncovered a scheme in which Mrs Ugbowan allegedly conspired with accomplices to convince family members and the public that she had been abducted, while demanding a ransom reportedly valued at ₦50 million. (Ministry of Information)
The case has attracted widespread attention across Nigeria because of its unusual circumstances and the growing concern among security agencies over false kidnapping claims that divert resources away from genuine victims.
According to police accounts, Mrs Ugbowan’s husband, Mr Tony Ugbowan, reported to authorities that his wife had been kidnapped while travelling to her shop along Agbor Road in Benin City.
Shortly afterwards, the family allegedly received calls demanding a substantial ransom for her release. (Ministry of Information)
The Edo State Police Command immediately launched an intelligence-led investigation. Detectives reportedly identified inconsistencies in the kidnapping narrative and traced communications linked to the ransom demand.
The investigation led to the arrest of a suspect identified as Israel Ability, who allegedly confessed that he had been recruited to negotiate ransom payments on behalf of Mrs Ugbowan while presenting her as a kidnapping victim.
Further inquiries eventually led investigators to a hotel in Delta State, where Mrs Ugbowan was arrested. (Ministry of Information)
Speaking after her arrest, Mrs Ugbowan admitted that the kidnapping never took place.
“I was not kidnapped, but I went into hiding,” she reportedly told investigators, explaining that financial pressure had become overwhelming.
She later stated that the scheme was designed to help her settle debts that had accumulated over time. (Punch Newspapers)
In another account released following her arrest, Mrs Ugbowan disclosed that she personally participated in creating materials intended to make the abduction appear genuine.
“I tied my own hands,” she reportedly said while explaining how videos and images were produced to support the false narrative. (Pulse Nigeria)
Police investigations revealed that the alleged plot involved staged captivity videos and coordinated ransom negotiations designed to pressure relatives into raising money for her purported release.
Authorities said no ransom payment was ultimately made before the scheme unravelled. (Channels Television)
The Edo Woman Fake Kidnap Plot has reignited debate about the consequences of false crime reports in a country where kidnapping remains a serious security challenge.
Security experts note that fabricated abduction cases can consume valuable investigative resources, create public panic and undermine trust in genuine distress reports.
The issue is particularly sensitive in parts of Nigeria where families regularly face real threats from kidnappers.
The Edo State Police Command has maintained that those involved in the scheme will face the legal consequences of their actions.
Investigators also recovered items allegedly used in the operation and arrested additional suspects believed to have assisted in executing the plan. (Ministry of Information)
Meanwhile, claims circulating on social media that Mrs Ugbowan would be taken around markets for public display have not been independently confirmed through official police statements.
Authorities have so far focused their public comments on the criminal investigation and the arrests made in connection with the case.
Beyond the criminal allegations, the incident has also revealed a human dimension centred on financial distress.
While that reality does not excuse criminal conduct, observers say the case highlights the devastating pressures debt can place on vulnerable individuals and families.
For law enforcement agencies, however, the central concern remains the impact such actions have on public safety.
As kidnapping continues to pose a significant challenge across parts of Nigeria, authorities argue that false reports only make the task of protecting citizens more difficult.
The unfolding case is expected to proceed through the judicial process as investigators conclude their inquiries and prosecutors determine the next legal steps.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
