Police in Abuja have arrested four people — including two sisters — after uncovering a shocking plan to fake a kidnapping and trick their own father into paying a ransom of five million naira.
It all started when Mr. Innocent, who lives in Jikwoyi Phase II, reported that his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, had disappeared on July 18, 2025. She had left home to take an exam at a secondary school in Karu, Abuja, and never returned. Not long after, he got a disturbing call from someone claiming his daughter had been kidnapped and demanding a large sum of money for her release.
Acting quickly, the police at the Jikwoyi station launched a quiet investigation. Using digital tracking, they traced the phone number used by the caller to another house in the same Jikwoyi area. When officers got there, they were surprised to find Lead Way safe and relaxed, chatting and eating with a woman named Tina Mayowa. It was clear she wasn’t in danger at all.
As the police dug deeper, they discovered something even more shocking — the so-called kidnapping had been staged. Lead Way’s elder sister, Joy Innocent, and her boyfriend, Mayowa Adedeji, had planned the whole thing. And Lead Way was not a victim — she had agreed to take part in the plan. While Joy stayed home and acted concerned, her younger sister willingly hid with the others, pretending to be missing.
It also turned out that Mayowa is married to Tina Mayowa, the woman who was with Lead Way when police arrived. All four of them — Joy, Lead Way, Mayowa, and Tina — have now been arrested. They confessed to planning the fake abduction and trying to extort money from Mr. Innocent.
Police say all suspects are still in custody and will be charged in court once investigations are complete.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Sunday Adewale, condemned the act, especially since it involved a betrayal within a family. He advised parents to be more emotionally present in their children’s lives and to build open communication at home. He also warned that anyone using family ties to commit crimes would face strict punishment.
People are urged to report suspicious behavior or emergencies by calling 0803 200 3913 or 0806 158 1938.
