The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a pastor, Joshua Sanmori, 62, and his wife, Taiwo, 42, for allegedly staging a self-kidnap to extort money from their relatives.

Spokesperson of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Akure. He said the incident occurred on August 23, 2025, at Road 5, Power Line, Ondo City.

According to him, the couple allegedly connived to fake Taiwo’s abduction, with the husband raising the alarm that she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen demanding N10 million ransom.

“Suspicious of the claims, one of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who immediately directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad to investigate. Acting swiftly, the team, supported by Enu-Owa Division, stormed the couple’s residence in Ondo town, where Mrs. Taiwo was found,” Ayanlade explained.

He added that the suspect initially claimed she had just been released after her family paid N5 million ransom, but later confessed that the abduction was staged to extort money from relatives abroad.

“She admitted that her motive was to settle debts and cater for personal needs. Both she and her husband are under investigation and will be charged in court,” the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the command also arrested an armed robbery suspect, Tosin Zaccheous, 23, in Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government Area.

Zaccheous allegedly attacked one Serah Ogunbodede on August 25, robbing her of her bag behind Winners’ Chapel, Ikare-Akoko.

“The victim raised the alarm, attracting a nearby police detective. Detectives from Ikare Division pursued and arrested the fleeing suspect. A locally made barrel gun was recovered from him,” Ayanlade said.

He noted that the suspect and case file had been transferred to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) office in Akure for further investigation and prosecution.