Benue Women Arrested for Alleged Fake Kidnapping Scheme

The Benue State Police Command arrested two women, Mary Torkuma and her accomplice Evergreen Samuel, for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping scheme aimed at extorting money from Torkuma's family. According to police spokesperson DSP Peter Aondongu, Torkuma left her home in Akpehe, Makurdi, on July 12, 2026, to visit Samuel in North Bank.

On July 15, 2026, Torkuma's mother, residing in Lagos State, received a ransom demand claiming her daughter had been kidnapped. Following this, the Violence Crime Response Unit initiated an intelligence-driven investigation, leading them to a hotel in Ankpa Quarters, Makurdi, where both women were found.

It was revealed that Samuel had traveled from Abia State to participate in the scheme. The suspects are currently in police custody, and further investigations are ongoing, with plans to charge them in court.

Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu warned against such criminal activities, emphasizing their impact on security resources.