Police arrest sisters for ‘faking kidnap to extort N5m’ from father in Abuja

The police command in the federal capital territory (FCT) has arrested two sisters and two accomplices for allegedly faking abduction in a bid to extort N5 million from their father.

The suspects were said to have faked the abduction of Lead Way Innocent, a 16-year-old girl.

In a statement on Tuesday, Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said one Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported at the police station that his daughter left home on July 18, 2025 to sit for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, but never returned home.

Innocent told the police that he later received a phone call from unknown persons demanding a ransom for his daughter.

Adeh said when the police tracked the phone number used to contact Innocent, the location was identified as a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II.

“Operatives proceeded to the location, where they found Miss Lead Way Innocent in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji,” the statement reads.

“Both individuals were seen eating and conversing freely, indicating no signs of distress.

“Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Miss Joy Innocent (the elder sister of the alleged victim) and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.

“Findings revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend, who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa, to stage the kidnapping of her younger sister, Lead Way Innocent, in a calculated attempt to defraud their father of ₦5 million.

“It was further uncovered that Lead Way Innocent was not only aware of the plan but was an active participant.

“She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy remained at home and feigned ignorance, watching her parents’ anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise money for the supposed ransom.”

The FCT police spokesperson said the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged soon.