A 23-year-old woman, Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, has been arrested for faking her own kidnap in order to collect money from her parents.

She carried out the plan with her boyfriend, 24-year-old Chibuike Ogbu, and both of them were caught by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command.

The police confirmed that ₦1.2 million was recovered from the suspects, which was part of the ransom already paid by Nmesoma’s parents.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects first demanded ₦15 million but later settled for ₦3 million after negotiations. The money was paid directly into Nmesoma’s bank account.

Investigations revealed that the so-called victim worked hand in hand with her boyfriend to deceive her parents into believing she had been abducted.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, described the act as another sign of moral decline among youths. He warned that many young people are now turning to crime simply for selfish gains.

He urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to do more in teaching discipline, integrity, and good values so that young people can stay away from such criminal behavior.