Police in Ondo State have arrested a pastor, Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, 62, and his wife, Taiwo, 42, for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping to extort N10 million from their relatives living abroad.
The couple, who live on Road 5, Power Line, Ondo town, were arrested on August 23 after their plan failed.
A police source said the pastor and his wife conspired to carry out the act between 4 pm and 5 pm on the day of the incident.
“Mrs Taiwo isolated herself in a separate room in their home while her husband began calling relatives using her phone, claiming that she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen demanding N10 million ransom,” the source said.
One of their relatives, Fasegha Joseph, became suspicious and wrote a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal. The petition was forwarded to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
Acting on the report, a team of operatives, with support from the Enu-owa Division in Ondo city, stormed the couple’s house. There, Mrs Taiwo was found and claimed she had just been released after her family allegedly paid N5 million.
Police spokesperson Funmilayo Ayanlade confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying the wife confessed during interrogation that the abduction was staged to raise money.
“She admitted that the plan was her idea and that her motive was to settle debts and take care of her personal needs. Both she and her husband are now under investigation and will face legal action,” Ayanlade said.
He warned residents against such criminal acts, adding that the police would not tolerate attempts to disrupt public peace.
“This case shows that the police will unravel any plot meant to disturb public peace. We urge members of the public to continue to provide credible information, which will always be treated with confidentiality,” he said.
