Bride Fakes Own Kidnap to Repay ₦3.6 Million Loan Used for Bridal Shower in Delta State

A 29-year-old newlywed, Merit Eleh, has been arrested in Asaba, Delta State, for staging her own kidnapping in a desperate bid to repay a ₦3.6 million debt she incurred to fund her bridal shower and wedding hotel accommodation.

The startling revelation was made public on Monday, July 28, 2025, by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed that the incident occurred on July 21.

According to the police, Eleh was reported kidnapped in the Bonsaac area of Asaba by unknown gunmen. The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, promptly deployed the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, to rescue the alleged victim. However, what began as a kidnapping rescue mission quickly turned into an exposure of a fraudulent scheme.

Two suspects, Alfred Elisha and Ugochukwu Adim, were arrested during the operation. Elisha was nabbed at Koka Roundabout, and Adim was picked up near DLA Road. Upon interrogation, one of them confessed that the kidnap was staged in collaboration with the so-called victim. Merit Eleh was subsequently arrested and admitted to orchestrating the fake abduction to extort ₦3 million as ransom from her family. She disclosed that she gave ₦500,000 to her accomplices while keeping ₦2.5 million for herself.

Further investigation revealed that Eleh owed her brother ₦3.6 million, money he had given her earlier in the year to purchase a tricycle for business. Instead, she spent it on her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding in March 2025. SP Edafe confirmed that all involved parties have been arrested and will be charged once investigations are concluded.