In a shocking twist of betrayal and greed, the FCT Police Command uncovered and apprehended four suspects—a man, his legal wife, his girlfriend, and her 16‑year‑old sister—for orchestrating a fake kidnapping to extort ₦5 million from the girls’ father. All individuals have confessed and remain in custody as of August 5, 2025, per police spokesman Josephine Adeh.
The Plot Unveiled
- The girls involved, Joy Innocent and her younger sister Lead Way Innocent, conspired with Joy’s boyfriend, Mayowa Adedeji, and his wife, Tina Mayowa, to stage the abduction of 16‑year‑old Lead Way.
- Their target was Lead Way’s father, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, who had reported his daughter missing after she left for an exam at Government Secondary School, Karu, on July 18, only to receive a ransom demand for ₦5 million.
How Police Cracked It
- The Divisional Police Officer in Jikwoyi sprang into action. Through intelligence gathering and digital tracking, officers located Lead Way and found her casually chatting with Tina Mayowa — the complete opposite of a distressed kidnap victim.
- Investigation revealed the entire incident was fabricated: Lead Way had staged the abduction, while Joy and their accomplices simply watched the emotional torment unfold as their father scrambled for ransom.
Official Reactions & Confessions
- All four suspects have fully confessed to their roles in the conspiracy and are being held pending charges.
- FCT Commissioner of Police Ajao Sunday Adewale condemned the betrayal as “a deeply troubling betrayal within the family,” warning that any abuse of familial trust for criminal gain would be thoroughly prosecuted.This disturbing case echoes earlier incidents where individuals in Abuja and elsewhere staged kidnappings for ransom—often involving teenage girls or wives working with boyfriends or relatives to extort money. In one instance, a pregnant woman collected ₦2 million from her husband and shared bags with her accomplices.
- In Delta State, similar plots involved women, their partners, and friends faking kidnappings to obtain ransom funds from unsuspecting family members.
What began as an apparent family emergency devolved into a chilling display of calculated greed and emotional manipulation. The FCT Police have seized the ransom demands, rescued the so-called “victim,” and detained all suspects. As the investigation proceeds, Nigerians are reminded to stay alert—and to verify before paying—amid growing trends of staged abductions. Updates on prosecution will follow as the case progresses.
