16-Year-Old Girl Fakes Her Own Kidnap In Ebonyi, Demands N2 Million Ransom From Family

A 16-year-old girl in SS2 at a private secondary school in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, faked her own kidnapping and asked her family for a N2 million ransom.

According to the police, the girl allegedly contacted her family after working with a family friend to pretend that she had been abducted.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, told reporters on Monday that the girl is a student at a private school on Watchman Street in Abakaliki and hails from Izzi Local Government Area.

She was expected to return to school for the third term on Saturday.

When questioned by police, the girl initially claimed she lost consciousness after being tapped from behind while shopping for second-hand clothes, known as ‘Okirika’.

She said she woke up the next day at Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi LGA and asked for directions back to Abakaliki.

Rather than go home, she went to a family friend’s house. The friend, unaware of the fake kidnapping, allowed her to stay.

Using his phone, she messaged her brother, claiming she’d been kidnapped and demanding N2 million for her release.

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 a bank account number—belonging to the man she was staying with—for the ransom payment.

However, the police were able to trace the phone. Officers raided the house and arrested everyone involved in the scheme.

The police spokesperson confirmed that a full investigation is underway.

The girl has since been returned to her family, but the matter remains under police review due to her age.

KanyiDaily recalls that the police also arrested Pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukunya for allegedly staging his own kidnap and demanding ransom from members of his church in Plateau.