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

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.

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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