A married woman who claimed she had been abducted and held for a N50 million ransom has been discovered holed up in a Delta State hotel with her lover, police have confirmed.
Oluchi, whose surname has been withheld, allegedly staged her own kidnapping from the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Edo State, sparking a desperate family campaign to raise funds for her release.
Her children, including a daughter based in Canada, had made public pleas for assistance after the supposed kidnappers reportedly reduced their demand to N20 million.
But a police investigation took a dramatic turn when detectives traced calls made from the woman’s lover’s phone to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State.
A source familiar with the investigation told local media: “Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman together inside a hotel room.”
Officers reportedly summoned the woman’s husband to the station, where he was initially told his wife had been found safe – before officers disclosed the true nature of the discovery.
The source added that the wife pleaded with her husband not to reveal the circumstances to their children.
‘My family has been shattered’
In an emotional online video, the couple’s daughter Anita, who lives in Canada, expressed her devastation at her mother’s actions.
“My mum has been released. She is involved in this kidnapping case,” Anita said. “I only did what I did to save my mum. The family is in shock. This is not right. This has shattered my family.”
She revealed that her father has been struggling with health issues, describing the situation as “so unfortunate”.
“My reputation has been ruined. I am short of words. I am so mad. I had no hand in this. I never knew. I only wanted my mother back home,” she continued.
“The law will take its course. I am sorry this is happening. I only did what any daughter would do. My family has been shattered.”
Anita confirmed that the family intends to allow the legal process to proceed without interference.
The incident has sparked widespread reaction on social media, with many expressing sympathy for the husband and children left to endure both the emotional toll of the false kidnap and the public embarrassment that followed.
Police have not indicated whether any charges will be brought against the woman or her lover.
