Abakaliki, Ebonyi State – May 15, 2025 — A 16-year-old female secondary school student in SS2 has been accused of faking her own kidnapping and attempting to extort ₦2 million from her family, the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed on Tuesday.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Joshua Ukandu told reporters that the teenager, whose identity is being withheld due to her age, allegedly conspired with a family friend to orchestrate the hoax.
“According to the teenage student, on getting to town, she decided to go to the house of one of their family friends who was not aware of her reported disappearance,” Ukandu said.
Using the family friend’s phone, the student sent a message to her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and that her abductors were demanding ₦2 million for her release. When the brother asked to speak with the supposed kidnappers, she refused and blocked his number.
🧾 Suspicion and Arrest
The situation escalated when the girl later sent an account number — belonging to the same family friend whose home she was staying in — to her brother for the ransom payment.
Sensing something was wrong, the family reported the matter to the police. Officers quickly acted, tracing the girl to the residence where she had been hiding.
“She was arrested after being spotted outside while going to buy something. Her family, already suspicious and laying ambush, alerted the police,” Ukandu said.
The family friend, identified as Edozie, whose phone and account number were used in the deception, has also been taken into custody.
🔍 Ongoing Investigation
While the teenager has since been reunited with her family, police say the investigation is still ongoing.
“We are still investigating, particularly concerning the family friend who harboured her and allowed the use of his phone and account number to receive the ransom,” Ukandu added.
The police are also questioning others who were present in the residence during the incident to determine if additional accomplices were involved.
⚖️ Legal and Social Implications
The incident has raised concerns about juvenile crime, digital fraud, and parental awareness, as authorities weigh how to handle the case given the girl’s age.
Legal experts suggest that, depending on the findings, the matter could result in juvenile justice proceedings, counselling, or rehabilitative interventions rather than criminal prosecution.
