The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, Chukwemeka Destiny, for allegedly masterminding a plan to kidnap his aunt who raised him from childhood.
The suspect was paraded on Saturday by the command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed that Destiny had paid a total of ₦900,000 to individuals he believed were kidnappers to carry out the abduction.
Edafe described the case as part of a worrying trend of betrayal and violence against benefactors.
“We’ve had cases where workers killed their employer. We’ve had cases where security men killed their bosses just because they want to cut away their jewelry,” he said.
According to the police, Destiny lived with his aunt for about 10 years, from the age of five to 15, before cutting off contact with the family.
“All of a sudden something just came up to his mind that let me kidnap my auntie who trained me, who saw me through school, and that was what he did,” Edafe said.
Investigations revealed that the suspect made two payments to facilitate the plot an initial ₦200,000 deposit, followed by ₦700,000.
However, the plan collapsed after the individuals he approached turned out not to be kidnappers. Instead, they reportedly set him up and handed him over to the police.
“Unknown to him that the people he contacted were not kidnappers. They rather used him as bait, got him and handed him over to the police thereby saving the life of his auntie,” Bright said.
During interrogation, Destiny admitted his involvement but said he could not explain his actions.
“Sincerely speaking to you, I am guilty of what really happened. I don’t know what came over me. I can’t tell,” he said.
The suspect, a married father of two, attributed his actions to spiritual influence when questioned further.
“Yes sir. It is devil’s work,” he told the police spokesman.
He also claimed the money used for the plot came from his haulage and building materials business.
“I made a deposit of 200,000 at first. Then the next day made a deposit of 700,000 making it 900,000,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the victim who identified Destiny as her elder sister’s son expressed shock and anger over the development.
“I was shocked. Crying,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.
She recounted that Destiny had distanced himself from the family after leaving her home as a teenager.
“He just disappeared. Just hanging around the street. But he will not come to our house,” she said.
When asked whether she would consider leniency, the woman insisted on full legal action. “Anything they know to do such people, you should do it to him,” she said.
Edafe commended her position, stressing the importance of allowing justice to take its course.
“People like this, see, without cases where they carry their loved ones, say they just want to kidnap for money, and they end up killing the person. So you should allow the law to take its course,” he said.
The suspect is currently in custody with the Raiders squad of the Delta State Police Command as investigations continue.
