Delta Police Arrest Self-Kidnapper, Accomplice, Recover ₦2 Million Ransom
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has arrested a young woman, Princess Okolie, and her accomplice, Prince Atigbi, for staging a fake kidnapping to extort ₦2 million from her parents. The ransom money has been recovered, and both suspects are currently in custody.
According to a statement by SP Edafe Bright, the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, the incident began on January 2, 2025, when Mrs. Oliko Joy reported that her daughter, Princess Okolie, had gone missing on December 30, 2024. The next day, the family received a call claiming that Princess had been kidnapped, with a demand for a ₦2 million ransom.
Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad, led by CSP Labe Joseph, to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators. Through an intelligence-led operation, Prince Atigbi was arrested after collecting the ransom.
During interrogation, Atigbi confessed that he was not a real kidnapper but acted according to the instructions of Princess Okolie, who masterminded the scheme. Okolie was subsequently arrested and admitted to faking her kidnapping to obtain money from her parents.
The Commissioner of Police commended the swift action of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad while urging parents and guardians to instill strong moral values in their children. He emphasized the importance of raising children in a godly manner to prevent them from becoming a burden to their families and society.
The Delta State Command assured the public that investigations into the matter are ongoing, with both suspects facing possible charges.
