A 31-year-old Nigerian man has been arrested for allegedly plotting to kidnap his own aunt, the woman who raised him for a decade in a case that police say highlights a disturbing trend of betrayal.
The suspect, identified as Chukwemeka Destiny, was apprehended by operatives of the Delta State Police Command after he paid ₦900,000 to individuals he believed were kidnappers.
According to police spokesperson Bright Edafe, the payment was made in two instalments: an initial ₦200,000 deposit followed by ₦700,000 to execute the abduction.
However, the plan failed after the supposed kidnappers turned out to be informants.
“Unknown to him, the people he contacted were not kidnappers,” Edafe said. “They used him as bait, lured him in and handed him over to the police, thereby saving the life of his aunt.”
Police said the suspect lived with his aunt his mother’s elder sister from the age of five until he turned 15. He later left and reportedly cut ties with the family.
Edafe described the incident as part of a worrying pattern in which individuals target those who once supported them.
“All of a sudden, something came to his mind that he should kidnap his aunt who trained him and saw him through school,” he said.
During interrogation, Destiny admitted to the plot but claimed he could not explain his motive.
“Sincerely speaking, I am guilty of what happened. I don’t know what came over me,” he said.
He added that the funds used for the planned kidnapping were sourced from his haulage and building materials business.
The aunt, visibly shaken, said she was overwhelmed upon hearing of the plot.
“I was shocked, crying,” she said, adding that justice should take its course.
Police confirmed that the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue.
