The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old housewife, Misturah Bada, and her alleged accomplice, 30-year-old Adedamola Daniel, over claims that she staged her own kidnapping and fraudulently obtained N2.5 million from her husband, who resides in South Africa.
The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi.
She said operatives of the Command Special Squad apprehended the suspects after investigations revealed that a reported abduction was staged.
According to the police, the Command received a distress call on November 24, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m. from the woman’s husband, who alleged that his wife had been kidnapped by armed men demanding a ransom of N10 million, later reduced to N3 million.
The police said N2.5 million was eventually paid, but the supposed abductors failed to release the victim as promised.
Following the report, the Command deployed both human and technical intelligence assets to track the alleged kidnappers.
Mrs Bada was later released and reunited with her family.
During preliminary interrogation, she claimed she was abducted by six armed men driving a silver Toyota Venza, taken to an unknown location, and dispossessed of her iPhone 12 Pro Max.
She also stated that the ransom was paid into her bank account before being handed over to the kidnappers.
However, the police noted that inconsistencies in her account raised suspicion, leading to further investigation.
On December 3, 2025, operatives arrested Adedamola Daniel in Ede, Osun State.
A SIM card used to register the WhatsApp account through which the ransom negotiations were carried out was recovered from him.
During questioning, Daniel allegedly confessed that Mrs Bada requested his SIM card to create the WhatsApp account used for the negotiations. He further admitted to supplying the one-time password sent to his line, which enabled her to operate the account.
When confronted with the outcome of the investigation, Mrs Bada reportedly admitted to staging her own abduction to extort money from her husband.
Further investigations also led to the recovery of the iPhone 12 Pro Max she had earlier claimed was stolen by the kidnappers.
The phone was recovered from one Yusuf Sodiq, 34, who told investigators that he bought it from her for N380,000 and was advised not to insert a SIM card into the device.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He cautioned members of the public against filing false reports or engaging in deceptive acts capable of diverting vital security resources, while urging residents to go about their lawful activities and promptly report suspicious movements through the Command’s designated emergency channels.
Police authorities said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe.
