Police in Ondo State have arrested a 62-year-old pastor, Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, and his wife, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, 42, for allegedly faking her abduction in a bid to extort ₦10 million from family members overseas.

The couple, residents of Road 5, Power Line, Ondo town, allegedly staged the self-kidnap on August 23, 2025, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

According to police sources, Mrs. Taiwo deliberately secluded herself in a room in their home while her husband placed ransom calls to relatives, using her phone to claim she had been kidnapped by gunmen demanding ₦10 million.

One of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, grew suspicious and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who immediately deployed operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS). The team, supported by officers from the Enu-Owa Division, stormed the couple’s residence, where Mrs. Taiwo was found.

She initially claimed she had just been released after her abductors allegedly collected ₦5 million ransom. However, during interrogation, she confessed the abduction was staged in collusion with her husband, with the aim of extorting money from relatives abroad to settle debts and meet personal needs.

Confirming the arrest, the state police spokesperson, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the suspects are in custody and will face prosecution.

“This case shows that the police will unravel any plot meant to disturb public peace. We will not tolerate criminality in any form—real or staged,” Olayinka said.

He commended residents for their cooperation and urged the public to continue providing credible intelligence, assuring that such information will always be treated with confidentiality.