Police arrest pastor, wife in Ondo over ‘staged kidnapping’

The Ondo police command says it has uncovered a self-kidnapping scheme involving one Sanmori Taiwo and her husband, Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, who is a clergyman. 

In a statement, Ayanlade Olushola, spokesperson of the command, said on August 23, Taiwo isolated herself in a room at their home and conspired with her husband to fake her abduction.

Using her phone, the husband allegedly contacted relatives, falsely claiming she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen who were demanding a N10 million ransom.

Suspicious relatives reported the case to the police, prompting Adebowale Lawal, commissioner of police, to deploy the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) to the community.

The team, supported by Enu-owa division, found Taiwo at their residence.

“She falsely claimed to have just been released by kidnappers after a ransom of Five Million Naira was allegedly paid,” the statement reads.

“Upon further interrogation at the Command, Mrs. Taiwo confessed that the abduction was staged as a self-kidnapping scheme, masterminded to extort money from her relatives abroad under the pretense of securing her release.

“She further admitted that her motive was to settle debts and provide for her personal needs. Both she and her husband are currently under investigation, and appropriate legal action will follow.”

The police commended the community for cooperating and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling all forms of crime, real or staged, to maintain peace and security in the state.