Girl Who Faked Kidnapping to Celebrate Birthday With Boyfriend Arrested by Police

A graduating student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Helen Kayode, has been arrested by the Ekiti State Police Command for allegedly raising a false alarm about being kidnapped along the Iworoko/Ado-Ekiti road. The arrest was confirmed by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Sunday Abutu, who stated that Kayode falsely claimed she was held hostage in an uncompleted building surrounded by bushes.

According to Abutu, the report triggered widespread panic across the state, particularly in Iworoko and Ado-Ekiti. The alleged kidnapping quickly went viral on social media, causing public anxiety and undermining the peaceful environment in the state. Investigations later revealed that Kayode was never abducted but had used the false information to cover her stay overnight with her boyfriend before traveling to Lagos.

Further investigation showed that the student allegedly concocted the story to avoid returning home as instructed by her parents. She reportedly confessed that she wanted to remain in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend, who had promised her a surprise gift.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, condemned the act and emphasized that providing false information, especially one capable of inciting fear and confusion, would not be tolerated. He warned that anyone found culpable in such acts would face prosecution. He added that Kayode would be charged to court following the conclusion of the investigation and reiterated the police command’s commitment to protecting lives and maintaining peace in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that on May 1, Kayode had sent a message to her sister claiming she had boarded the wrong bus and had been kidnapped, a claim that quickly circulated across social media platforms.