THE Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a 62-year-old pastor, Sanmori Joshua, and his 42-year-old wife, Sanmori Taiwo, for allegedly staging her abduction in a bid to extort ₦10 million from relatives abroad.
Police spokesperson DSP Olushola Ayanlade, in a statement today, said the incident occurred on August 23 at the couple’s home on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City.
According to the police, Taiwo deliberately locked herself inside a room while her husband contacted her relatives, claiming she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
However, one of the relatives, Fasegha O. Joseph, became suspicious and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.
The matter was then assigned to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS).
Operatives, working with Enu-owa Division in Ondo City, later stormed the residence where Taiwo was found hiding.
“She falsely claimed she had just been released by her abductors after a ransom of ₦5 million was paid,” Ayanlade disclosed.
During interrogation, the woman reportedly confessed that the abduction was staged to obtain money from her relatives overseas under the guise of paying ransom.
She admitted the plot was motivated by debts and personal financial needs.
The police confirmed that both suspects remain in custody and will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
Ayanlade assured that the command would continue to expose and tackle all forms of criminality, whether real or fabricated, to safeguard lives and ensure peace in the state.