The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Chibuike Joshua Ugwuja, for allegedly faking his own kidnapping and demanding N35 million from his family.
Ugwuja, a private security guard in an estate at Trans-Ekulu, was reported missing on November 24, 2025, after his father informed police that he had left for work two days earlier and had not returned.
According to police sources, the suspect also reached out to a female neighbour via Facebook, claiming he had been abducted by unknown gunmen inside a commercial bus and that his “captors” were demanding ransom.
Following the report, police operatives launched a search-and-rescue operation. However, the deception collapsed on November 30, when Ugwuja’s father brought him to the Trans-Ekulu Police Division.
Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday.
“While investigations were ongoing, the suspect was produced by his father after days of rigorous search efforts by our operatives,” Ndukwe said.
Upon interrogation, Ugwuja allegedly confessed to staging the kidnap. He reportedly admitted that after closing from work, he went to a friend’s residence in Amorji Nike, from where he orchestrated the false abduction and ransom demands.
“He admitted to staging the kidnap and demanding N35,000,000 from his family,” Ndukwe added.
Police said the suspect told investigators that he returned home on November 29 after realising his family could not raise the ransom. He allegedly blamed the act on frustration over his uncle’s failure to buy him a tricycle.
The police have confirmed that Ugwuja will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
