The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 26-year-old man, identified as Chibuike Joshua Ugwuja, for allegedly staging his own abduction and demanding a ransom of N35 million (N35,000,000) from his family.
A statement on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, explained that the suspect’s father had reported him missing on November 24, 2025 after he failed to return home from work two days earlier.
Ugwuja, who works as a private security guard in an estate in Trans-Ekulu, was said to have sent a message via Facebook to a female neighbour, claiming he had been kidnapped by unknown persons in a commercial bus.
“His supposed abductors were said to be demanding ransom, prompting the Command to immediately commence investigations and deploy operatives to trace and rescue him,” the statement said.
However, in a twist, the suspect was brought to the police station by his father on November 30, 2025, following what police described as “days of intensified search operations.”
During interrogation, Ugwuja confessed to orchestrating the fake abduction while staying at a friend’s house in Amorji Nike.
He reportedly admitted to demanding N35 million from his family, claiming frustration over his uncle’s alleged failure to buy him a tricycle.
“He revealed that after closing from work, he went to a friend’s residence rather than returning home and from there masterminded the false kidnap,” Ndukwe said.
“He eventually returned home on 29 November after realizing his ransom demands would not be met.”
The police said the suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Describing the act as “a regrettable height of criminality,” the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised the suspect’s parents for promptly involving law enforcement.
“I commend the parents for doing the right thing by reporting the matter rather than concealing it,” the Commissioner said.
“The law will take its full course. Kidnapping, whether real or staged, creates fear and instability in the community. We will not tolerate acts that abuse public trust.”
He urged residents to continue reporting suspected cases of kidnapping and to cooperate with the police rather than hastily paying ransom.
“Citizens should always reach out to the police in such situations. Cooperation is key to tackling the menace of kidnapping,” he added.
The Command reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining safety and ensuring offenders face justice.
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