The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a shocking case of self-kidnapping involving a 42-year-old woman, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, and her 62-year-old husband, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, both residents of Road 5, Power Line, Ondo City.
According to the police Public Relations Officer Olushola Ayanlade in a statement on Thursday, Mrs. Taiwo locked herself in a separate room of their residence while her husband allegedly placed calls to family members using her phone.
He claimed she had been abducted by gunmen who demanded a ransom of ₦10 million.
Suspicious of the story, a relative, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, petitioned the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal psc+, mnips, who swiftly deployed the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), supported by operatives from the Enu-Owa Division.
Police investigators stormed the family home and discovered Mrs. Taiwo safe and sound. She initially insisted she had just been released by kidnappers after her relatives allegedly paid ₦5 million.
But under interrogation at the Command Headquarters, she confessed the entire operation was a staged abduction hatched with her husband to extort money from relatives abroad.
Mrs. Taiwo admitted she intended to use the proceeds to settle debts and cater to personal needs. Both she and her husband are now in custody as investigations continue.
Police React
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, said the case highlights how far some individuals are willing to go in pursuit of money. He praised the vigilance of family members and the quick action of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, stressing that the Command will not tolerate criminal theatrics disguised as insecurity.
The CP also commended the strategic vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, whose emphasis on community engagement and intelligence-led policing provided the foundation for the swift unraveling of the case.
He further appealed to residents of Ondo State to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of security agencies, assuring them that all volunteered information would be treated in strict confidence.
Broader Concerns
The incident underscores the rising trend of self-kidnapping and fake abductions across Nigeria, often motivated by greed or financial desperation.
Security experts warn such staged incidents may distract police resources from tackling genuine cases of abduction and banditry.
Religious leaders are likely to face scrutiny as one of the alleged conspirators is a serving pastor, raising questions about morality and trust in faith communities.
