ENUGU — Police in Enugu State have arrested a 26-year-old man, Chibuike Joshua Ugwuja, after his father reported that the son staged his own kidnapping and demanded a ransom of ₦35 million for his release.
According to a statement by the state command’s spokesperson, the ordeal began on 22 November 2025 when Ugwuja — who works as a private security guard — left for work but did not return home. His father reported him missing two days later.
The purported abductors contacted the family and demanded ₦35 million, claiming Ugwuja had been taken while travelling by commercial bus. The case attracted police attention, triggering a search operation.
On 30 November, after days of investigation and pressure from relatives, the suspect was brought to a police station by his father. During interrogation he confessed to orchestrating the fake abduction. The police say Ugwuja admitted that he staged the entire incident — hiding at a friend’s residence in Amorji-Nike rather than being kidnapped.
The Enugu Police Command has warned the public that fake kidnappings — often used to extort large sums from unsuspecting relatives — are criminal offences. They cautioned families to verify facts before paying ransom, and urged people to report suspicious ransom calls to law-enforcement authorities.
Dalena Reporters will keep tracking developments, including whether the suspect will be arraigned and whether other related incidents emerge from the ongoing investigation.