A 31-year-old Nigerian man has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating a plot to kidnap his aunt, the very woman who raised him for ten years, police announced on Saturday. The suspect, identified as Chukwemeka Destiny, was taken into custody by operatives of the Delta State Police Command after he paid ₦900,000 to individuals he believed were kidnappers, according to police spokesperson Bright Edafe.
Edafe detailed that the payments were made in two instalments: an initial deposit of ₦200,000, followed by ₦700,000, as part of a scheme to abduct the woman who had cared for Destiny from the age of five until he turned 15. “Unknown to him, the people he contacted were not kidnappers,” Edafe said. “They used him as bait, lured him in and handed him over to the police, thereby saving the life of his aunt.”
According to police, Destiny lived with his aunt throughout his formative years but later left the household and reportedly severed all contact with the family. “All of a sudden, something came to his mind that he should kidnap his aunt who trained him and saw him through school,” Edafe noted, describing the case as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against benefactors.
When questioned, Destiny admitted his involvement but claimed he could not explain his motive. “Sincerely speaking, I am guilty of what happened. I don’t know what came over me,” he said, adding that the money used for the plot came from his haulage and building materials business.
The aunt, who is the elder sister of Destiny’s mother, expressed shock upon learning of the plan and struggled to contain her emotions. “I was shocked, crying,” she said. When asked whether she would prefer leniency, she insisted that authorities should allow the law to take its course.
Police confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and investigations are ongoing.
