By Pius Awunah
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four persons in connection with a staged kidnap apparently to extort N5m from an elderly father of two daughters and their accomplices.
According to a Press Release by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, on Wednesday,July 30, 2025, at about 11:30am, one Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported to the Jikwoyi Police Division that his 16-year-old daughter, Miss Lead Way Innocent, left home on July 18, 2025 for an examination at the Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, and had not returned.
The complainant told the police that he ubsequently received a phone call from unknown persons demanding a ransom for the daughter’s release.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation.
“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 they found the alleged victim (Miss Lead Way Innocent) in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.
“They were seen eating and conversing heartily, indicating no signs of distress,” the statement added.
This led to the arrest of Miss Joy Innocent (the elder sister of the alleged victim) and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend, who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa, to stage the kidnap of her younger sister (Lead Way Innocent), in a calculated attempt to defraud their father of ₦5 million.
It was also discovered that the supposed victim was not only aware of the plan but was an active participant as she willingly stayed with the other suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy who was at home with their father all these while, feigned ignorance and watched her parents in anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise money for the supposed ransom.
The four suspects are currently in police custody and have confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are over.
Speaking on the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police,Ajao Sunday Adewale, strongly condemned the act and described it as a betrayal and manipulation.
He urged parents and guardians to pay close attention to their children’s emotional well-being and behavioral patterns even as he called on parents for regular and sincere communication with their kids and wards.
The CP warned that any attempt to exploit familial ties for criminal purposes would not be tolerated as would be met with the full weight of the law.
