Ondo pastor arrested for faking wife’s kidnap to extort N10m from relatives abroad

The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a shocking case of self-kidnap and extortion involving a couple in Ondo City.

The suspects, identified as Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo (42) and her husband, Pastor Sanmori Joshua (62), were arrested for allegedly staging Taiwo’s abduction in a bid to demand a ₦10 million ransom from her relatives living abroad.

According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the incident occurred on August 23 at the couple’s residence located on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City.

Police investigations revealed that Mrs. Taiwo deliberately secluded herself in a room while her husband reached out to her family members, claiming she had been kidnapped by gunmen.

The plot was uncovered when one of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, grew suspicious and filed a formal petition to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal. The Commissioner immediately directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) to investigate the matter.

Acting on the report, operatives, assisted by officers from the Enu-owa Division, stormed the couple’s home and located the woman. She initially lied, claiming she had just been released by her kidnappers after a ₦5 million ransom was paid.

However, during further interrogation at the Command, Mrs. Taiwo confessed that she and her husband orchestrated the staged kidnapping to extort money from her family overseas. She admitted that her motive was to settle personal debts and cater to her needs.

The couple remains in police custody and will face charges following the conclusion of the investigation.

DSP Ayanlade reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling all forms of criminality, whether real or staged, to ensure peace and safeguard the integrity of communities in the state.