Ondo Police have arrested a pastor and his wife for faking her abduction to extort relatives.
Investigators confirmed the staged kidnap, exposing the couple’s plot to raise ransom money.
The Ondo State Police Command has exposed a self-orchestrated kidnapping involving a 62-year-old cleric, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, and his 42-year-old wife, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, who allegedly conspired to stage her abduction to extort money from family members.
The incident occurred on August 23, 2025, in Ondo City. Investigations revealed that Mrs. Taiwo hid inside a separate room in their home, while her husband placed distress calls to relatives, claiming she had been abducted by armed men demanding a ransom of ₦10 million.
Suspicion was raised when one of the relatives, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal. Acting on the complaint, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS), assisted by officers from Enu-Owa Division, raided the couple’s residence and found Mrs. Taiwo.
She initially claimed she had just regained freedom after a ₦5 million ransom was supposedly paid. However, under questioning, she admitted that the abduction was staged in collusion with her husband, with the intention of deceiving relatives abroad to raise money for debt repayment and personal upkeep.
Police authorities confirmed the arrest, describing it as further proof of the Command’s determination to dismantle all forms of crime, whether real or fabricated. CP Lawal commended the officers for their swift intervention and assured the public that the police remain committed to protecting lives and maintaining order in the state.
The Command also credited Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for driving intelligence-led and community-based policing, which continues to yield results across the country. It further acknowledged the support of local hunters and residents who regularly provide valuable information.
Both Pastor Joshua and his wife are in custody and will face charges in court.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding, stressing that credible intelligence from the public is crucial in identifying and eliminating criminal activities in Ondo State.
