By Admin 
****Police Arrest Suspects, Recover Ransom
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Delta State Police Command has apprehended Princess Okolie, a teenage girl, and her boyfriend, Prince Atigbi, for staging a fake kidnapping to extort N2 million from her parents.
The duo was paraded on Wednesday at the Command headquarters in Asaba after officers from the Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad uncovered the plot during a discreet investigation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, Princess left home on December 30, 2024, and took refuge at her boyfriend’s house while her parents believed she had been kidnapped.
“On January 2, 2025, the Command received a complaint from one Mrs. Oliko Joy that her daughter had been missing since December 30. The next day, she got a call demanding a ransom of N2 million for her release,” Edafe said.
Following the report, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the Anti-Kidnapping unit to launch a rescue operation.
“Our team tracked and arrested Prince Atigbi after he collected the ransom. During interrogation, he confessed that the kidnapping was staged by his girlfriend,” the police spokesman disclosed.
Atigbi reportedly told investigators that Princess masterminded the plot to obtain money from her parents.
“He claimed he wasn’t a kidnapper but was only acting according to his girlfriend’s instructions,” Edafe added.
Both suspects are currently in custody, and the ransom money has been recovered.
Expressing disappointment over the incident, CP Abaniwonda called on parents to instill strong moral values in their children to prevent such occurrences.
“Parents need to take their children’s upbringing seriously. If they are raised with good values, they won’t bring shame to their families and society,” he stated.
He further urged young people to avoid criminal activities, stressing that the police will continue to crack down on crime in the state.
“No crime goes unpunished. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property in Delta State,” the CP assured.
The police said that investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion.
The incident has triggered outrage across Delta communities, with many residents calling for stiffer penalties for fake kidnappings, which they say divert police resources from real crime cases.
“This is unacceptable. It’s a waste of security resources,” a resident said.
Another resident added: “These youths need to be taught a lesson. Such acts must not go unpunished.”