By TVCN
The Ondo State Police Command has exposed a shocking case of deception, arresting a clergyman and his wife for allegedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping in a desperate bid to extort millions from their relatives.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the suspects — 62-year-old Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua and his 42-year-old wife, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo — both residents of Road 5, Power Line in Ondo City, staged the incident on August 23, 2025.
Police investigations revealed that Mrs. Taiwo deliberately locked herself inside a room in their home, while her husband began raising alarm among relatives, claiming she had been abducted by unknown gunmen demanding a ransom of ₦10 million.
Their carefully planned charade began to unravel when a relative, Mr. Fasegha Joseph, grew suspicious of the claims and promptly reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal. Acting swiftly, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), supported by officers from the Enu-Owa Division, stormed the couple’s residence.
To the astonishment of the officers, Mrs. Taiwo was discovered at the house, attempting to maintain the lie by claiming she had just been released by her “abductors” after a ransom of ₦5 million had supposedly been paid.
However, when grilled at police headquarters, Mrs. Taiwo broke down and confessed that the abduction story was fabricated. She admitted that the plan was designed to extort money from relatives abroad to pay off debts and meet personal financial needs.
Her husband, Pastor Joshua, was also implicated in the scheme, with police confirming that he actively supported the plot. Both suspects are now in custody and undergoing further investigation, with legal charges expected to follow soon.
Reacting to the development, Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the act, describing it as “a disturbing abuse of trust and a criminal manipulation of family ties.” He emphasized that the command remains unwavering in its resolve to tackle all forms of crime — whether genuine or fabricated.
He attributed the successful bust to the intelligence-driven, community policing strategy championed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, which has strengthened collaboration between security operatives and local communities.
The Command also lauded the vigilance of residents and the invaluable contributions of forest hunters in boosting security operations across the state, urging the public to remain alert and continue partnering with law enforcement agencies.
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