Police in Delta State have arrested a 29-year-old woman, Merit Eleh, for allegedly faking her own kidnap to collect ransom money, which she used to pay for her bridal shower and hotel bills.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed on Monday that Merit and her accomplices were arrested after a report of a kidnapping was made on July 21, 2025. The police said the incident happened at Ajaji (Bonsaac) Layout in Asaba.
Spokesman of the Command, Bright Edafe, said the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered a full investigation. He said the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by Commander Godwin Osadolor, was asked to find the victim and arrest those behind the incident.
“Through intelligence and careful planning, the operatives arrested one Alfred Elisha at the Koka Roundabout, Asaba, and another suspect, Ugochukwu Adim, off DLA Road, Asaba, on July 22,” Edafe said.
He said during questioning, one of the suspects confessed that the kidnapping was staged. The confession led police to arrest Merit Eleh.
“She said her brother had given her a loan of N3.6 million. She used the money to fund her bridal shower and pay for hotel expenses during her March 2025 wedding,” Edafe said.
Merit reportedly admitted to planning the fake kidnap so she could recover money. She claimed she arranged to collect N3 million as ransom, gave her accomplices N500,000, and kept N2.5 million for herself.
Police said all the suspects have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.
