Man Pays Kidnappers ₦900,000 to Abduct Aunt Who Raised Him

The Nigeria Police Force in Delta State has arrested a 31-year-old man, Chukwemeka Destiny, for allegedly plotting the kidnapping of his aunt who reportedly raised him from childhood, in a case authorities describe as a shocking act of betrayal.

The suspect was paraded on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe, who said Destiny had already paid a total of ₦900,000 to individuals he believed were kidnappers to abduct the woman.

According to the police, the suspect lived with his aunt from the age of five until he was 15. During that period, she reportedly catered for his upbringing and education before he later left home and cut ties with the family.

Police spokesperson Edafe said the case reflects a disturbing pattern of violent betrayal involving close relations and benefactors.

“All of a sudden, something came to his mind that he should kidnap the same aunt who trained him and saw him through school,” Edafe said, noting that the suspect had made payments in two instalments of ₦200,000 and ₦700,000.

READ ALSO:

• Security Operatives Arrest Kidnappers, Recover ₦8m Ransom in Plateau 
• 2027: 14 Opposition Parties Form Mega Coalition, Agree on Single Candidate to Challenge Tinubu
• Nnamdi Kanu Thanks Ex-US Mayor Mike Arnold, Reaffirms IPOB Support

Investigations revealed that the plot failed after the individuals Destiny contacted turned out not to be actual kidnappers. Instead, they reportedly played along and alerted authorities, leading to his arrest and preventing the crime from being executed.

“Unknown to him, the people he contacted were not kidnappers. They used him as bait and handed him over to the police,” Edafe added.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the offence but said he could not explain what motivated his actions.

“Sincerely speaking, I am guilty of what happened. I don’t know what came over me. I can’t tell,” he said.

Destiny, who identified himself as a married father of two and a businessman in haulage and building materials, claimed the funds used for the attempted operation came from his business earnings.

“I made a deposit of ₦200,000 first, then I paid ₦700,000 the next day,” he admitted.

The victim, who is the suspect’s maternal aunt, said she was devastated upon learning of the alleged plot against her.

“I was shocked… crying,” she said, adding that Destiny had disappeared from the family after leaving her home at age 15 and rarely maintained contact despite being seen occasionally in the neighbourhood.

She further stated that she supports full prosecution of the suspect.

“Anything they know to do to such people, they should do it to him,” she said.

Police authorities said the suspect is currently in custody under the Delta State Police Command’s Raiders Squad, while investigations continue into the full circumstances of the case and possible accomplices.

Security officials described the incident as part of a growing trend of kidnapping conspiracies involving trusted relatives and associates, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

Man Pays Kidnappers ₦900,000 to Abduct Aunt Who Raised Him

Security Operatives Arrest Kidnappers, Recover ₦8m Ransom in Plateau 

Joint security operatives in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State have arrested two suspected kidnappers, recovered ₦8 million allegedly paid as ransom, and rescued an abducted woman during a coordinated operation in the area.

The operation, which involved multiple security agencies, also led to the rescue of a female victim who had been held in a forest hideout before she was freed and reunited with her family.

The development was confirmed on Saturday by the Media Aide to the Qua’an Pan Local Government Chairman, Hon. Dr. Christopher Audu Manship, Danaan Cletus.

According to reports, the arrested suspects are linked to a violent criminal operation that included the killing of Alhaji Saidu Mamma and the abduction of his daughter. The gang allegedly collected ₦8 million in ransom before security operatives tracked them down.

The suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led surveillance and a coordinated search operation across suspected hideouts. Authorities also recovered the ransom money, which is currently being processed as evidence before being returned to the victim’s family.

READ ALSO:

• 2027: 14 Opposition Parties Form Mega Coalition, Agree on Single Candidate to Challenge Tinubu
• Nnamdi Kanu Thanks Ex-US Mayor Mike Arnold, Reaffirms IPOB Support
• APC Blasts Makinde Over ‘Operation Wetie’ Remark Ahead of 2027 Elections

During the parade of the suspects, Chairman Manship reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to flushing out criminal elements from the local government area.

“We will not allow criminals to operate in Qua’an Pan or use this LGA as a hideout after committing crimes in neighbouring areas,” he said, commending the security agencies for their swift response and successful operation.

He further directed that the recovered ₦8 million be returned to the family of the late Alhaji Saidu Mamma, whose daughter was among those affected by the attack.

In a related development, security operatives also rescued Mrs. Gambo Bello, who had been abducted in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and moved into the Pandam Game Reserve in Qua’an Pan.

Her rescue followed credible intelligence reports that prompted a search-and-rescue mission in the forest area, leading to her safe recovery and reunification with her relatives.

Security authorities say the dual success highlights improved coordination among agencies working to tackle kidnapping and armed criminality across Plateau and neighbouring states.

Chairman Manship also expressed appreciation to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for supporting local security efforts and strengthening response capacity in vulnerable communities.

Security Operatives Arrest Kidnappers, Recover ₦8m Ransom in Plateau

Nnamdi Kanu Thanks Ex-US Mayor Mike Arnold, Reaffirms IPOB Support

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed appreciation to former United States mayor Mike Arnold, commending what he described as Arnold’s efforts to present a “truthful account” of his situation and the activities of the IPOB movement.

The message was disclosed on Saturday by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who said he was instructed to deliver the statement in full without any modifications.

In the letter, Kanu praised Arnold’s intervention in ongoing international conversations about Nigeria, describing his comments as a rare example of “honesty amid dominant global narratives.”

“Dear Mike, I am writing to acknowledge your remarkable effort in shedding light on the truth about me and my people. Your commitment to the truth is commendable,” Kanu said in the statement.

He further suggested that global understanding of the IPOB issue would have been different if similar voices had spoken earlier.

READ ALSO:

• APC Blasts Makinde Over ‘Operation Wetie’ Remark Ahead of 2027 Elections
• Gunmen Abduct RCCG, CAC Clerics, Families in Kogi Community Attack
• Trump Says White House Shooting Will Not Change Iran War Stance

“You can count on the support of the Indigenous People of Biafra and myself. May Elohim guide and protect you always,” he added.

The message comes amid continued legal proceedings and diplomatic attention surrounding Kanu’s prolonged detention and the wider agitation campaign in Nigeria’s South-East.

Earlier, IPOB had also praised Arnold and some members of the United States Congress, describing their comments on Nigeria’s security situation as a “bold intervention” and alleging that they helped highlight alleged attacks in parts of the country.

In a statement issued by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, the group said it welcomed what it called international acknowledgment of violence affecting communities in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and southern regions.

The group also reiterated claims that past warnings issued by Kanu were being validated by ongoing insecurity in parts of the country, citing attacks across several states as evidence of worsening violence.

However, the Nigerian government has consistently maintained that IPOB is a proscribed organisation under Nigerian law and has denied allegations of systematic persecution as described by the group.

Security analysts note that the IPOB issue remains one of Nigeria’s most sensitive political and security challenges, with ongoing court cases and diplomatic commentary continuing to shape public debate.

Nnamdi Kanu Thanks Ex-US Mayor Mike Arnold, Reaffirms IPOB Support