In a startling revelation from the Federal Capital Territory, the police have arrested two sisters and a couple over a staged kidnap aimed at extorting ransom from their unsuspecting parents.
The incident, which unfolded in Jikwoyi Phase II, Abuja, has drawn widespread condemnation due to the deep level of deceit involved, especially within the same family.
The Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this development on Tuesday, explaining that the suspects meticulously plotted to fake the abduction of a 16-year-old girl, Miss LeadWay Innocent, and subsequently demanded a ₦5 million ransom from her father, Mr. Innocent.
According to the statement, Mr. Innocent had reported to the Jikwoyi Police Division on July 30, 2025, at about 11:30 am, that his daughter, LeadWay, who left home on July 18 to write an examination at Government Secondary School in Karu, had failed to return. Days later, he received a phone call from unknown individuals demanding a ransom for her safe return.
Acting promptly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Jikwoyi Division initiated an investigation marked by coordinated intelligence gathering and digital surveillance. Investigators successfully traced the phone number used to contact the father to a location within Jikwoyi Phase II. Upon arriving at the address, officers found Miss LeadWay Innocent casually seated and engaging in conversation with one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Observers noted that there were no signs of fear or distress on the teenager, raising suspicion about the nature of the reported abduction.
This discovery soon led to the arrest of Miss Joy Innocent, the elder sister of the so-called victim, and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Further investigation unveiled the full extent of the conspiracy: Joy had masterminded the kidnapping with her boyfriend Mayowa, who is legally married to Tina, the woman found with LeadWay at the hideout. It was also established that LeadWay was not only aware of the scheme but fully participated by choosing to remain at the location while the plan was executed. Her sister, Joy, stayed home during this period, pretending to be unaware of the situation and observing the emotional torment of their parents as they struggled to meet the ransom demand.
All four individuals involved have since confessed to the crime and remain in police custody pending further legal proceedings. Authorities have confirmed that the suspects will be formally charged once investigations are concluded.
In reacting to the case, the Commissioner of Police for the FCT, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, condemned the actions of the suspects, particularly highlighting the disturbing nature of such betrayal within a family. He called on parents and guardians to remain alert to their children’s emotional health and behavioral tendencies, urging open and honest communication within homes to prevent incidents of manipulation and deceit.
What You Should Know
This case highlights a disturbing trend where family members, driven by greed or desperation, engage in criminal activities against their own.
The staged kidnapping in Abuja was not only a betrayal of familial trust but also a calculated move involving deceit, emotional exploitation, and potential psychological harm.
