THE Delta State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Merit Alice, for orchestrating her own abduction in a desperate bid to cover up N3.6 million she spent on her bridal shower and wedding-related expenses.
Alice, who confessed to the crime during interrogation, admitted to colluding with two accomplices to stage the fake kidnapping after her brother, whose name was withheld began pressuring her to account for the money he gave her to help him purchase a tricycle (Keke Napep).
According to the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, the incident occurred on July 20, 2025, when Alice told her husband she was heading out, only for a distress call to reach him moments later claiming that she had been kidnapped.
A ransom of N3 million was demanded by the supposed abductors, which the worried husband and family members managed to raise and pay after several threatening calls.
However, the case was promptly transferred to the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad for a full investigation, where officers began to unravel the truth behind the supposed abduction.
SP Edafe narrated in a video shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account that one of the suspects arrested during the investigation eventually confessed, revealing the plot was staged by Alice herself.
“We continued to work on the case until we arrested one of the suspects, who eventually let the cat out of the bag,” Edafe said.
During her confession, Alice admitted that she had partnered with two individuals, one of whom, Peter, worked as a security guard at her former workplace.
She disclosed that after the N3 million ransom was paid by her husband and brothers, she withdrew N2.5 million from a local POS shop and handed N500,000 to her two accomplices.
“I was under pressure from my brother to refund the N3.6 million he gave me to buy a tricycle. But I used it to fund my bridal shower and hotel accommodation for my friends,” she explained with regret.
Commending the investigating officers for their meticulous work, SP Edafe warned the public against criminal acts disguised as financial solutions to personal problems.
“This is a clear case of betrayal, not just to her family but to society,” Edafe said. “Let this serve as a lesson to others who may consider desperate means to cover up their actions.”
While further investigation is ongoing, the police say charges will be brought against Alice and her accomplices once the case file is completed.
The incident has since stirred outrage and disbelief across the state, especially among those familiar with the victim’s family.