A 27-year-old bride, identified as Merit Alice, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly faking her own kidnap to escape pressure after squandering N3.6 million meant for her brother’s tricycle purchase.
Alice, who confessed to the crime, admitted that she diverted the money to fund her lavish bridal shower and lodge her friends in hotels during her wedding held in March 2025.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the suspect staged her abduction after her brother began to demand a refund of the funds he entrusted to her.
“In her confession, she said her husband was told she was coming to meet him on July 20. Moments later, a kidnap story broke out.
“Calls were made and a ransom of N3 million was eventually paid by her husband and family,” Edafe explained in a statement issued on Monday.
The police spokesperson revealed that investigations by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad led to the arrest of one of the suspects, who later exposed the fake abduction plot.
Alice later confirmed that she planned the act alongside two accomplices, one of whom, identified as Peter, was a security guard at a previous place of her employment.
She further admitted that after receiving the ransom at a Point of Sale (POS) operator’s shop, she took N2.5 million for herself and handed N500,000 to her partners.
“I was under pressure to refund the money my brother gave me. So, I had no option but to fake my own kidnap,” Alice said while expressing regret over her action.
SP Edafe commended the operatives for their thorough investigation, which led to the arrest and confession of the suspect, warning members of the public against similar fraudulent acts.
The police said further investigations are ongoing, and the suspects would be charged to court soon.
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