16-year-old SS2 student fakes kidnap for N2m ransom

A 16-year-old SS2 student at a private secondary school in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has faked her kidnapping in the state.

The female student allegedly contacted a family member claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of N2 million for her release.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Ukandu said a family friend helped the student plan the hoax.

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Ukandu said the girl was a native of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and was due to return to school for the third term on Saturday, May 10.

He disclosed that the girl told the police that she had gone to buy second-hand clothes, known locally as “Okirika”, when someone tapped her from behind.

The police spokesperson said: “She claimed to have lost consciousness and woke up the next day at Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi Local Government Area.

“She added that she often dreams of being kidnapped, and her mother regularly prays against it.

“Upon regaining consciousness, she asked for directions back to Abakaliki town.

“Instead of returning home, she went to the house of a family friend who had no idea she was missing.

“Using the man’s phone, she messaged her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded N2 million ransom.

“Her brother asked to speak with the kidnappers and requested their location, but she refused and blocked his number.

“Later, she unblocked his number and sent an account number belonging to the family friend hosting her.

“Unluckily for her, the phone was tracked. Police raided the house and arrested everyone involved in the plot.”

Ukandu added that the command had launched an investigation into the incident.

He noted that the student had since been reunited with her family, saying the matter, however, remained under police investigation due to her age.