In a bizarre and emotionally charged turn of events, the Delta State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Merit Alice, who confessed to staging her own kidnapping in a desperate attempt to repay ₦3.6 million entrusted to her by her brother.
According to a confession shared in a video posted by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, Alice admitted she squandered the money meant for the purchase of a tricycle, funds her brother had worked hard to save and trusted her to manage. Instead, she used the money to host her bridal shower and cover hotel expenses for friends during her wedding in March 2025.
Desperation Led to a Drastic Plan
Faced with mounting pressure from her brother to refund the money, Alice said she devised a plan with two accomplices to fake her own abduction. On July 20, she told her husband she was heading out, only to suddenly go missing.
Shortly after, the “kidnappers” demanded a ₦3 million ransom, sending her loved ones into panic and fear. Her husband, devastated and suspicious, reported the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, sparking a full investigation.
Truth Unravels Through Investigation
SP Edafe revealed that it was the arrest of one of Alice’s accomplices that ultimately exposed the shocking truth. The suspect’s confession led to Alice, who then detailed how she personally withdrew the ransom money from a local POS operator, keeping ₦2.5 million for herself and handing ₦500,000 to her co-conspirators.
“I never wanted it to go this far,” Alice admitted. “I was overwhelmed by the pressure from my brother and didn’t know how to face him after spending his money on my wedding.”
Emotional Fallout and Police Commendation
This incident has left many stunned, not just because of the crime, but because of the emotional turmoil it reveals. Family trust was betrayed, and hard-earned money was lost to a lie.
SP Edafe praised the diligence and commitment of the police team that cracked the case, emphasizing the importance of proper investigations in resolving such sensitive matters.
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