The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old woman, Merit Eleh, for staging her own abduction in a bid to raise funds to repay a N3.6 million loan she borrowed from her brother to fund her bridal shower and hotel expenses.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the incident came to light on July 21, 2025, when the command received a report that a woman had allegedly been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the Bonsaac area of Asaba.
Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, to immediately swing into action.
Following a coordinated intelligence-driven operation, operatives apprehended two suspects — Alfred Elisha and Ugochukwu Adim — at different locations in Asaba on July 22.
During interrogation, Alfred confessed that the supposed victim had orchestrated her own abduction with his help. This led to the arrest of Merit Eleh, who admitted to planning the fake kidnap in order to extort N3 million in ransom from her family.
Eleh revealed that she gave her accomplices N500,000 from the ransom and kept the remaining N2.5 million for herself, which she intended to use in repaying part of the loan. The police spokesperson confirmed that all suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.