By MUFTAU OGUNYEMI

The Ondo State Police Command says it has uncovered a case of self-kidnapping involving a 42-year-old woman, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, to extort money from her relatives abroad.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the Command’s Spokesperson, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Akure.

Ayanlade explained that the incident happened on Aug. 23 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at her residence at Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City.

The police spokesperson said that Taiwo deliberately isolated herself in a separate room in her residence after conspiring with her 62-year-old husband, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, to stage her own abduction.

He said that the husband subsequently placed calls to the wife’s relatives using her mobile phone number, falsely claiming that she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen who were demanding the sum of 10 million Naira as ransom.

“Suspicious of the claims, one of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, through a written petition, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who directed the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS).

“Acting swiftly on the report, an investigation team from the Command’s anti-kidnapping squad supported by Enu-owa Division in Ondo City, proceeded to the Sanmori’s residence in Ondo Town, where Mrs Taiwo was found.

“She falsely claimed to have just been released by kidnappers after a ransom of Five Million Naira was allegedly paid.

“Upon further interrogation at the Command, Mrs. Taiwo confessed that the abduction was staged as a self-kidnapping scheme, masterminded to extort money from her relatives abroad under the pretense of securing her release.

“She further admitted that her motive was to settle debts and provide for her personal needs,” Ayanlade said.

Ayanlade, therefore, said that both Taiwo and her husband were currently under investigation, and appropriate legal action would follow.

According to him, this case once again demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Ondo State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Adebowale Lawal.

“We will diligently unravel all forms of criminality, whether real or staged, in order to preserve peace, protect lives, and safeguard the integrity of communities within the state,” he said. (NAN)