How pastor faked kidnap of his wife, demanded 10m ransom in Ondo | Read Details
One Pastor Sanmori Joshua, 62, and his wife, Mrs Sanmori Taiwo, 42, have been arrested for allegedly faking the latter’s kidnap to extort N10m from relatives abroad.
According to a statement released by the Ondo state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade on Wednesday, the wife hid in a room at their residence located on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City, South hile the husband was calling her relatives, claiming his wife had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
“Suspicious of the claims, one of the relatives, Mr Fasegha O. Joseph, through a written petition, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who directed the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS),” the police said.
However, operatives, backed by Enu-owa Division in Ondo City, stormed the couple’s residence on August 23 where the woman was found.
“She falsely claimed to have just been released by kidnappers after a ransom of Five Million Naira was allegedly paid,” the police spokesman added.
Ayanlade further disclosed that during interrogation, the woman owned up to staging the abduction to raise money.
“Upon further interrogation at the Command, Mrs Taiwo confessed that the abduction was staged as a self-kidnapping scheme, masterminded to extort money from her relatives abroad under the pretense of securing her release. She further admitted that her motive was to settle debts and provide for her personal needs.
“We will diligently unravel all forms of criminality, whether real or staged, in order to preserve peace, protect lives, and safeguard the integrity of communities within the state,” Ayanlade said.
