A 16-year-old SS2 student of a private secondary school on Watchman Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has been accused of staging her own kidnapping and demanding a ₦2 million ransom from her family.
The teenager, identified as a native of Izzi Local Government Area, reportedly contacted her brother, claiming she had been abducted. According to the spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Joshua Ukandu, a family friend allegedly helped her orchestrate the hoax.
Ukandu revealed that the girl, who was expected to return to school for the third term on Saturday, told police she had gone to buy second-hand clothes, popularly called ‘Okirika,’ when she felt a tap from behind. She claimed to have lost consciousness and woke up the next day at Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
The teenager said she often dreamed of being kidnapped, prompting regular prayers from her mother against such incidents. Upon regaining consciousness, she asked for directions back to Abakaliki but did not return home. Instead, she went to the residence of a family friend who was unaware she had been reported missing.
Using the family friend’s phone, she messaged her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded a ₦2 million ransom. When her brother asked to speak with the supposed kidnappers and requested their location, she refused and blocked his number. Later, she unblocked him and sent an account number belonging to the family friend where the ransom was to be paid.
Police tracked the phone, raided the residence, and arrested everyone involved. Ukandu confirmed that a full investigation has been launched into the incident.
The girl has since been reunited with her family, although the police are continuing their investigation due to her age.
