A 54-year-old woman identified as Umadi has allegedly staged her own kidnapping in Delta State and demanded a ₦15 million ransom from her younger brother in a bizarre attempt to obtain money from her family.
According to the Delta State Police Command, the woman reportedly pretended to have been abducted by gunmen while going out to buy medication. She then contacted her brother, claiming her supposed captors would kill her if he failed to pay the ransom.
The incident was reported to the police on October 23, 2026, prompting an investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe later disclosed that investigations exposed the alleged abduction as a fabricated scheme.
Here are seven important details about the incident.
1. Woman allegedly stages her own kidnapping
Umadi reportedly arranged the fake abduction and contacted her younger brother to make him believe she had been seized by armed men.
She allegedly claimed that she had been kidnapped while going to purchase medicine.
Her brother initially faced what appeared to be a genuine kidnapping emergency before the investigation uncovered the alleged deception.
2. She demanded ₦15 million from her younger brother
During the alleged scheme, the woman reportedly told her brother that her captors were demanding ₦15 million for her release.
She also warned that the supposed kidnappers would kill her if he failed to provide the money.
During interrogation, she reportedly admitted making the ransom demand. When asked how much she requested, she answered, “₦15m.”
3. Brother reports the alleged kidnapping to police
Rather than simply responding to the ransom demand, the woman’s younger brother reportedly alerted the authorities.
The case was initially reported at the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division on October 23, 2026.
Following the complaint, the Commissioner of Police directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ubulu-Uku, to investigate the alleged abduction and secure the woman’s release.
4. Police investigation exposes the alleged plot
According to SP Bright Edafe, intelligence gathered during the investigation revealed that the woman had allegedly arranged the kidnapping herself.
The investigation reportedly established that the supposed abduction was an attempt to extort money from her younger brother.
The police subsequently arrested the woman and questioned her over the incident.
5. Suspect reportedly claims she was held for 12 days
During interrogation, Umadi reportedly claimed that she had been held captive for 12 days as part of the staged kidnapping.
She also admitted arranging the incident and contacting her brother to demand the ransom.
Her account formed part of the information disclosed by the police during their presentation of the case.
6. Police suspect she may have had accomplices
The police spokesperson reportedly disclosed that investigators believed the woman did not carry out the alleged scheme alone.
According to Edafe, some individuals suspected of involvement had been identified, and officers were still pursuing them.
He expressed surprise that a woman in her fifties would allegedly organise such an incident, noting that previous cases of staged kidnapping encountered by the command had largely involved teenagers and younger people.
7. Police commend brother for reporting the incident
The Delta State Police Command commended the woman’s younger brother for reporting the alleged kidnapping instead of attempting to handle the ransom demand privately.
The police also urged members of the public to notify security agencies whenever they receive threats or ransom demands involving relatives.
The advice is particularly important in cases where families are under pressure to make urgent payments before verifying the circumstances of an alleged abduction.
Conclusion
The alleged staged kidnapping in Delta State has raised concerns after a woman reportedly attempted to obtain ₦15 million from her younger brother by pretending to be in the hands of kidnappers.
Although the suspect reportedly admitted arranging the incident, police investigations are continuing, particularly over the suspected involvement of other individuals.
The case also highlights the importance of reporting kidnapping threats to security agencies rather than making ransom payments without seeking assistance.
Daily Post – Delta Police arrest woman over alleged fake abduction
