A 31-year-old man, Chukwuemeka Destiny, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly masterminding a plan to kidnap the same aunt who raised and cared for him from childhood.
The shocking case was made public during the parade of suspects on Saturday, April 25, where the police described the incident as another painful example of betrayal against people who extend kindness and support to family members.
Speaking during the briefing, Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, revealed that the woman had taken Destiny into her home when he was just five years old and raised him for about ten years, supporting his upbringing and education.
According to Edafe, instead of gratitude, the suspect allegedly returned years later with a sinister plan to arrange her abduction for financial gain.
Police disclosed that Destiny allegedly contacted some men he believed were kidnappers and made payments to facilitate the abduction.
He reportedly paid an initial deposit of N200,000 and later made a second payment of N700,000 to push the plan forward.
However, the plot failed after the individuals he approached turned out not to be kidnappers.
Instead of carrying out the crime, they reportedly turned him in by using him as bait, luring him into a trap before handing 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,” Edafe added.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and admitted responsibility for 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. It’s the devil’s work,” he said.
The victim, who identified Destiny as the son of her elder sister, expressed deep shock and emotional pain over the betrayal.
She said she was devastated upon learning that someone she had helped raise and treated like her own child could allegedly plan such an act against her.
“I was shocked. Crying,” she said while struggling to hold back tears.
Despite their family relationship, she insisted that the law should take its full course and asked authorities not to show him any special treatment.
The suspect is currently being held by the Raiders Squad of the Delta State Police Command as investigations continue.
The incident has triggered widespread reactions, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief and anger over what they describe as a disturbing level of betrayal within families and society.