Girl Who Kidnapped Self with Boyfriend Arrested in Anambra, ₦1.2M Recovered

Commissioner of Police Anambra State CP Ikioye Orutugu

The police in Anambra State have arrested Josephine Nwoye, a 23-year-old woman who staged a Self kidnapping with her boyfriend, Chibuike Ogbu, 24. The two were apprehended by officers from the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu following a staged abduction incident.

The suspects, identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye and Chibuike Ogbu, conspired to fabricate the kidnapping. Their plan was exposed after an intelligence-led operation revealed that the so-called victim had worked with Ogbu to stage her own abduction.

During the operation, police recovered ₦1,200,000 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira), part of the ransom paid by Nwoye’s family. The suspects had initially demanded ₦15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira), but after negotiations, ₦3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) was transferred into Nwoye’s account.

The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of moral decay in society.

He called the incident “disheartening” and emphasized that it reflected a troubling trend of young people resorting to criminal activities for personal gain.

CP Orutugu urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to step up efforts in instilling discipline, integrity, and strong values in the younger generation.

He also warned young people against engaging in self-destructive behaviors, stressing that the long arm of the law would inevitably catch up with criminals, no matter how cleverly they disguise their schemes.