Enugu Man Arrested for Faking Kidnap, Demanding ₦35 Million from Family

Enugu, 2nd December 2025 – Police in Enugu State have arrested 26-year-old Chibuike Ugwuja for allegedly staging his own kidnapping and demanding ₦35 million from his family. The suspect’s father reported him missing on November 24 after he failed to return home from work on November 22.

According to Daniel Ndukwe, spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Ugwuja sent a message via Facebook to a female neighbor, claiming that unknown abductors in a commercial bus were holding him for ransom. Police launched search operations while investigations were ongoing. The suspect was brought to the Trans-Ekulu Division police station on November 30 by his father.

During interrogation, Ugwuja confessed to orchestrating the false abduction. He explained that he had gone to a friend’s house in Amorji Nike instead of returning home and created the ransom scenario, demanding ₦35 million from his family. He returned home on November 29 after his demands were not met, citing frustration over his uncle’s alleged failure to provide him with a tricycle.

Ugwuja remains in police custody and will be arraigned once investigations are complete. Police have reaffirmed their commitment to holding individuals who exploit public trust accountable, with Commissioner of Police Mamman Giwa describing the case as a regrettable example of criminality. Authorities have urged citizens to report kidnappings promptly rather than paying ransoms.