ESUT Female Student Arrested for Kidnapping Herself to Raise Funds for Boyfriend

By Praise Chinecherem

A 28-year old female student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT has been arrested for allegedly plotting and executing her own kidnap in order to extort money from her family to establish business venture for her boyfriend.

The suspect was said to have executed her plan while taking refuge at a student hostel located at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, UNIZIK Temp Site, Awka, Anambra state.

According to a report by CoreTruth the suspect had sneaked into the hostel in company of her male accomplice after contacting her family, informing them she was returning home from school but never arrived.

She was said to have switched off her phone throughout the day while her male accomplice called her family, claiming responsibility for her kidnap and demanding a ransom of ₦10million.

The family reportedly initiated negotiations for ransom which was reduced to ₦3million and a part payment of ₦1million later paid into the suspect’s bank account.

Luck however ran out on the duo as they were rounded up by the police operatives following tip-off.

Confirming the arrest, Anambra state Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the duo, upon interrogation, confessed to staging the kidnap as plot to extort money from the suspect’s family.

He said the female suspect, Chinecherem Nwaokoye, admitted she masterminded the plan after watching a movie and intended to give the money to her boyfriend to start a business.

He said, “Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) acting on an intelligence-led investigation of a disturbing report of alleged abduction of Chinecherem Nwaokoye, a female student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), stormed a lodge located at UNIZIK Temp Site, Awka, where the victim was found alive and in the company of her male accomplice.

“According to the report, Chinecherem had earlier contacted her family on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, informing them that she was returning home from school but never arrived.

“Her phone remained switched off throughout that day. On Wednesday, 9th July 2025, her family received a call from an unknown male voice who claimed responsibility for her kidnap and demanded a ransom of ₦10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) only.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu has directed that the suspects be charged to court without delay.

He condemned the incident as a clear sign of deepening moral decay among some youths in the society.

“He warned that the Command will not tolerate such criminal deception, calling on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to activities and peer influence on their children.”