The Ondo State Police Command has revealed an astonishing case of self-abduction and extortion involving a couple in Ondo City.
The suspects, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo (42) and her husband, Pastor Sanmori Joshua (62), were taken into custody for allegedly orchestrating Taiwo's kidnapping to extort a ₦10 million ransom from her relatives residing overseas.
In a statement released by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade reported that the incident took place on August 23 at the couple’s home on Road 5, PowerLine in Ondo City.
Police investigations uncovered that Mrs. Taiwo intentionally isolated herself in a room, while her husband contacted her family members with claims of her being kidnapped by gunmen.
The scheme was revealed when a family member, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, became suspicious and submitted an official complaint to Commissioner of Police CP Adebowale Lawal. The Commissioner promptly assigned the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) to look into the case.
Based on the report, operatives with support from officers of the Enu-owa Division raided the couple's residence and found the woman. At first, she falsely stated that her kidnappers had just let her go following a ₦5 million ransom payment.
During additional questioning at the Command, Mrs. Taiwo admitted that she and her husband had planned the fake kidnapping in order to extort money from her family abroad. She revealed that her intent was to pay off personal debts and address her own needs.
The couple is still in police custody and will be charged once the investigation is completed.
DSP Ayanlade reaffirmed the command's dedication to addressing all types of criminal activity, whether genuine or fabricated, in order to maintain peace and protect the integrity of communities within the state.
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