16-year-old female student in SS2 class of a private secondary school in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, forged her kidnap and requested the sum of N2 million for her release.
The teenage girl allegedly placed a call on a family member, claiming she had been kidnapped.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, revealed to reporters on Monday that a family friend assisted her in planning the deception.
Officer Ukanda said the girl schools at a privately owned school located on Watchman Street in Abakaliki.
She is a native of Izzi Local Government Area and was supposed to go back to school for the third term on Saturday.
The girl told police she had gone to buy second-hand clothes, known locally as ‘Okirika’, when someone tapped her from behind.
She alleged to have lost consciousness and woke up the next day at Ishieke Junction in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
She mentioned having recurring dreams about being kidnapped, which prompts her mother to frequently pray for her protection.
Upon regaining consciousness, she asked for directions back to Abakaliki town.
She headed to a family friend's house instead of home, and there she was welcomed, they had no knowledge of her being missing.
Using the man’s phone, she messaged her brother, claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded ₦2 million ransom.
Her brother asked to speak with the kidnappers and requested their location, but she refused and blocked his number.
Later, she unblocked his number and sent an account number belonging to the family friend hosting her.
Unfortunately for her, the phone was tracked. Police raided the house and arrested everyone involved in the plot.
The police spokesperson confirmed that the command has launched a full investigation into the incident.
The girl has since been reunited with her family, though the matter remains under police investigation due to her age.