The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has two sisters and their accomplices for staging their kidnapping in an attempt to extort ₦5 million from their father.
The plot, described by police as a disturbing act of betrayal, was orchestrated by Miss Joy Innocent, her younger sister, Lead Way Innocent, and two of their accomplices, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji and his wife, Mrs. Tina Mayowa.
A statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the incident unfolded after one Mr. Innocent, a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II in Abuja, reported his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, missing on July 30, 2025.
He told the police that his daughter had left home on July 18 to sit for an exam at the Government Secondary School, Karu, but failed to return.
Days later, he received a distress phone call demanding a ransom for her release.
Responding swiftly, the divisional police officer of Jikwoyi Division launched a discreet investigation using digital tracking and intelligence gathering.
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The mobile phone number used by the kidnappers was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II, where officers found the so-called victim, Lead Way Innocent, in the company of Mrs. Tina Mayowa.
Shockingly, police operatives observed that Lead Way was neither in distress nor restrained, as she was seen freely eating and chatting with Mrs. Mayowa.
This prompted further investigations, which led to the arrest of Joy Innocent and her boyfriend, Mr. Mayowa Adedeji, who is legally married to Tina Mayowa.
The investigation revealed that Joy Innocent conspired with her boyfriend and his wife to fake her younger sister’s abduction.
Their objective was to collect a ₦5 million ransom from their unsuspecting father.
Further probing showed that Lead Way was fully aware of the scheme and voluntarily stayed with the conspirators throughout the supposed abduction.
Even more disturbing, while her parents were emotionally distraught and struggling to raise the ransom, Joy Innocent remained at home, pretending ignorance of her sister’s whereabouts.
All four suspects, Joy, Lead Way, Mayowa Adedeji, and Tina Mayowa, are currently in police custody.
They have voluntarily confessed to the crime and will be charged in court after investigation is concluded.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Sunday Adewale, described the act as a “serious betrayal of trust” and warned that such manipulation of family ties for criminal gain will not be tolerated.
“This is a heartbreaking example of how familial bonds are being exploited for selfish and criminal motives,” said CP Ajao.
“We urge parents to remain observant of their children’s behavior, encourage open communication, and report any suspicious activity.”
He reassured the public of the police command’s commitment to crime prevention and swift justice.
The FCT Police Command called on the public to assist law enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activity or emergencies via the hotlines: 0803 200 3913 and 0806 158 1938.
