The Delta State Police Command has apprehended a 31-year-old man, Chukwemeka Destiny, for allegedly orchestrating a plan to kidnap his aunt, the woman who raised him from childhood.
Destiny was presented to the public on Saturday by the police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, who revealed that the suspect had paid a total of N900,000 to individuals he believed were kidnappers to carry out the abduction.
According to Bright, the case reflects a troubling trend of individuals turning against those who once supported them.
“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.
Police said Destiny lived with his aunt for about a decade, from the age of five until he turned 15, after which he left and cut off communication 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 facilitate the plan — an initial N200,000 deposit, followed by N700,000, bringing the total to N900,000.
However, the plan collapsed after the individuals he contacted turned out not to be kidnappers. Instead, they set him up and handed him over to the police, preventing the crime.
“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 responsibility 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.
The suspect, who identified himself as a married father of two, blamed his conduct on spiritual influence when questioned further.
“Yes sir. It is devil’s work,” he told the police spokesman.
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He added that he operates a haulage and building materials business and sourced the money used in the failed plot 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.
Reacting to the incident, the victim, who described Destiny as her elder sister’s son, said she was devastated upon learning of the plan.
“I was shocked. Crying,” she said, trying to hold back tear.
She explained that Destiny had distanced himself from the family after leaving her home at 15, though she occasionally saw him around the area.
“He just disappeared. Just hanging around the street. But he will not come to our house,” she said.
When asked whether she preferred leniency or strict legal action, she insisted that justice should take its course.
“Anything they know to do such people, you should do it to him,” she said.
Bright commended her position, noting that such resolve is necessary to deter similar crimes.
“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 police confirmed that Destiny is currently in custody with the Raiders squad of the command as investigations continue.