Ondo Police Arrest Couple Over Staged Kidnapping Scheme
The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a case of self-kidnapping in Ondo City, involving a couple, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, 42, and her husband, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, 62, who allegedly conspired to stage her abduction in a bid to extort money from relatives.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the command revealed that on August 23, 2025, between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Mrs. Taiwo locked herself in a separate room at their residence on Road 5, Power Line, Ondo City, while her husband contacted relatives using her phone, claiming she had been kidnapped by armed men demanding ₦10 million ransom.
The suspicious claims prompted one of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, to petition the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who immediately directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) to investigate. Acting swiftly, the squad, supported by Enu-owa Division in Ondo City, stormed the couple’s residence, where Mrs. Taiwo was found. She initially lied that she had just been released after ₦5 million ransom was paid.
However, upon interrogation, she confessed that the kidnap was staged with her husband’s involvement, admitting that the scheme was planned to obtain money from relatives abroad to offset debts and meet personal needs. Both suspects are currently in custody and will face legal prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for criminality in all forms—real or staged—emphasising the resolve to ensure peace, safety, and the integrity of communities across the state.
He attributed the successes recorded to the policing vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, which centres on community partnership, intelligence-driven operations, and synergy with stakeholders. The CP also commended local forest hunters and residents whose timely information continues to strengthen police operations against crime.
The command assured the public of confidentiality in handling volunteered information while urging residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive of security efforts aimed at ridding the state of crime.
