A 31-year-old man, identified as Chukwemeka Destiny, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly plotting to kidnap his aunt who raised him from childhood.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who paraded the suspect on Saturday, said Destiny paid a total of N900,000 to persons he believed were kidnappers to abduct the woman who had cared for him for about a decade.
According to the police, the case is part of a troubling trend where beneficiaries of goodwill turn against their benefactors. Edafe said, “We’ve had cases where workers killed their employer. We’ve had cases where security men killed their bosses just because they want to cut away their jewelry,” he said.
Destiny reportedly lived with the aunt between the ages of five and 15 before leaving the home and losing contact with the family.
“All of a sudden something just came up to his mind that let me kidnap my auntie who trained me, who saw me through school, and that was what he did,” Edafe said.
Investigations showed that the suspect made two separate payments to the supposed kidnappers: an initial N200,000 deposit followed by another N700,000.
Police said the plot collapsed after the individuals he approached turned out not to be kidnappers. Instead, they reportedly deceived him, used him as bait, and handed him over to law enforcement.
“Unknown to him that the people he contacted were not kidnappers. They rather used him as bait, got him and handed him over to the police thereby saving the life of his auntie,” Bright said.
During interrogation, Destiny admitted involvement in the plan but said he could not explain his actions.
“Sincerely speaking to you, I am guilty of what really happened. I don’t know what came over me. I can’t tell,” he said.
He also told investigators that he is married with two children and operates a haulage and building materials business. He said the funds used for the plot came from his business earnings.
“I made a deposit of 200,000 at first. Then the next day made a deposit of 700,000 making it 900,000,” he said.
When pressed further, he blamed his actions on spiritual influence, saying, “Yes sir. It is devil’s work,” he told the police spokesman.
The aunt, who described Destiny as her sister’s son, said she was devastated when she learned of the plan.
“I was shocked. Crying,” she said, trying to hold back tears.
She explained that after Destiny left home at 15, he never returned to visit, although she occasionally saw him in the neighbourhood.
“He just disappeared. Just hanging around the street. But he will not come to our house,” she said.
When asked whether she wanted the law to take its course or show mercy, she was firm in her response.
“Anything they know to do such people, you should do it to him,” she said.
SP Bright Edafe commended her position, saying victims and families must support the justice process.
“People like this, see, without cases where they carry their loved ones, say they just want to kidnap for money, and they end up killing the person. So you should allow the law to take its course,” he said.
The suspect is currently in custody with the Raiders squad of the Delta State Police Command as investigations continue.
