Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested a 26-year-old man, Chibuike Joshua Ugwuja, for allegedly faking his own kidnap and demanding a ransom of N35 million from his family.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, Chibuike’s father reported him missing on November 24, 2025. He told officers that his son, who works as a private security guard in an estate in Trans-Ekulu, had left for work on November 22 but never returned home.

Things took a strange turn when a female neighbour received a Facebook message from Chibuike, claiming he had been abducted by unknown individuals in a commercial bus. In the message, he stated that his "abductors" were demanding N35 million for his release.

Police immediately launched an investigation and intensified efforts to track down the supposed kidnappers and rescue the victim.

However, on November 30, 2025, Chibuike’s father brought him to the Trans-Ekulu Police Division—ending the search. During interrogation, the young man confessed that he was never kidnapped.

Instead, he revealed that after closing from work, he went to stay with a friend in Amorji Nike, Enugu, from where he staged the fake kidnap plot. He admitted fabricating the ransom demand out of frustration, claiming his uncle had refused to buy a tricycle (keke) for him.

Chibuike eventually returned home on November 29 after his family did not meet his ransom demand.

The police spokesperson confirmed that the suspect is now in custody and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded. He also warned that the police will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who abuses public trust or causes unnecessary panic through fraudulent acts.