The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals over a staged kidnapping aimed at extorting five million naira (₦5,000,000) from a man by his two daughters and their accomplices.
Confirming the arrests, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident was reported on July 30, 2025, by one Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II.
According to her, Mr. Innocent informed the Jikwoyi Police Division that his 16-year-old daughter, Miss Lead Way Innocent, had left home on July 18, 2025, to sit for an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, but never returned.
He later received a phone call from unknown persons demanding a ransom for her release.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation,” SP Adeh stated.
“Through coordinated intelligence gathering and digital tracking, the phone number used to contact the complainant was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II. Operatives proceeded to the location, where Miss Lead Way Innocent was found in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. The two were seen eating and conversing freely, showing no signs of distress.”
Further investigations led to the arrest of Miss Joy Innocent, elder sister of the alleged victim, and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.
Police findings revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend—who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa—to fake the kidnapping of her younger sister in a calculated attempt to defraud their father.
It was also discovered that Lead Way Innocent was not only aware of the plan but actively participated in it. She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her supposed abduction, while Joy remained at home, pretending to be unaware of her sister’s whereabouts, as their father frantically tried to raise the ransom.
The suspects are currently in custody and assisting the police with further investigations.
