By Jeff Agbodo

A 16-year-old female SS2 student in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has allegedly faked her own kidnapping, demanding a ₦2 million ransom from her family.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this to newsmen, revealing that the teenage student carried out the act with the support of a family friend.

According to Ukandu, the girl left home and went to the residence of the family friend, who was unaware of her alleged disappearance. Using the man’s phone, she contacted her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and that a ₦2 million ransom was required for her release.

“The brother requested that she hand the phone to her ‘kidnappers’ so he could negotiate and know where to deliver the ransom. She refused and subsequently blocked his number,” Ukandu stated.

The brother later asked for a bank account number for the digital transfer of the ransom. Surprisingly, the girl sent the account number of the very same family friend whose house she was staying in and whose phone she was using to stage the fake kidnap.

Alerted by the suspicious behavior, the family quickly informed the police, who raided the man’s house and arrested both of them.

Ukandu noted that investigations are ongoing to determine if others in the house that night were involved. The teenager stayed there for one night, and on the second day, while going out to buy something, family members—who had been monitoring the house—intercepted her, leading to the police arrest.

“We are still investigating, particularly concerning that family friend who provided his phone and account number for the ransom demand,” Ukandu said.

The girl has since been reunited with her family, while the police continue to probe the incident, considering her age and the involvement of the family friend, identified as Edozie, whose account was intended for the ransom payment.