Crime
How Sisters, Couple Staged Fake Kidnap To Extort N5m From Their Father In Abuja
A dramatic case of family betrayal has come to light in Abuja after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command arrested two sisters and a married couple for staging a fake kidnapping to extort N5 million from their father.
The incident began when Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, reported that his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, had gone missing on July 18, 2025.
According to his statement, the teenager left home to write an examination at Government Secondary School, Karu, but never returned.
READ MORE: Tension In Delta As Kidnappers Seize Two Ogwashi-Uku Poly Students
Soon after, he received a phone call from an anonymous number demanding N5 million for her release.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer of Jikwoyi Division launched a covert investigation. The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation,” Adeh stated.
Utilizing digital tracking and intelligence gathering, officers traced the ransom phone number to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II. When police operatives arrived at the location, they found Lead Way in the company of a woman identified as Mrs. Tina Mayowa.
“Operatives stormed the identified location and found Lead Way Innocent in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Both individuals were seen eating and conversing freely, indicating no signs of distress,” the police revealed.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Lead Way’s elder sister, Joy Innocent, and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji who is legally married to Tina. Authorities later discovered that the entire abduction was fabricated.
“Findings revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend, who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa, to stage the kidnapping of her younger sister, Lead Way Innocent, in a calculated attempt to defraud their father of N5 million,” the statement read.
To the shock of many, police also confirmed that the 16-year-old was not just a passive victim she actively participated in the scheme.
“It was further uncovered that Lead Way Innocent was not only aware of the plan but was an active participant. She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy remained at home and feigned ignorance, watching her parents’ anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise money for the supposed ransom,” the police said.
FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, condemned the act and described it as a serious breach of trust within the family unit.
He said, “This is a betrayal and manipulation, particularly one perpetrated within the family.”
The Commissioner advised parents to maintain strong communication with their children and monitor any suspicious changes in behavior.
All four suspects are currently in police custody and have reportedly confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.
The police urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods promptly, to help prevent similar incidents.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
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The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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