The Delta State Police Command said it has continued to record operational milestones in the war against crime and criminality, even with the arrest of a suspect who feigned own kidnap.
Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command has disclosed in a statement on Monday.
Edafe, a Superintendent of Police (SP), revealed that in an operation, operatives of the Command successfully arrested a suspected fake kidnapper and her accomplices.
He said: “On July 21, 2025, at about 8:30 pm, the Delta State Police Command received a report of a kidnapping incident involving a female victim who was abducted by unknown armed men in the Bonsaac area of Asaba.
“Acting promptly on the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Commander Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, CSP Godwin Osadolor, to ensure that the victim is rescued unhurt. Acting on this directive, the command led operatives and launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation. Through diligent investigative efforts and strategic deployment, the operatives apprehended one Alfred Elisha (m) at Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu Adim (m), off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22, 2025, at about 9am. Upon arrest of the suspects, he confessed that it was not a case of an actual kidnapping but a plot between the victim and himself. His revelation led to the arrest of the other suspect, named Merit Eleh, aged 29 years old. She confessed that the money loaned to her by her brother of about N3,600,000, she used it to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding, which took place in March 2025. She further stated that she faked her kidnap and received a ransom of N3,000,000 and gave her accomplices N500,000, and took N2,5000,000 for herself. All suspects involved have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.”
