Pastor 'Abducts' Wife, Demands N10m Ransom from Rich Relatives

• Police in Ondo state arrested Pastor Sanmori Joshua and his wife, Taiwo, for staging a self-kidnap to extort N10 million from relatives abroad
• Investigators discovered the woman hiding in a room after her husband claimed she was abducted by gunmen
• She later confessed to planning the fake abduction to settle debts and cover personal expenses, while both suspects remain in custody

The Ondo state police command has detained a pastor and his wife for allegedly staging her abduction in a bid to extort money from relatives living abroad.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, August 27.

He said the suspects, Pastor Sanmori Joshua, 62, and his wife, Taiwo, 42, hatched the plan at their residence on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo city, on August 23, reported The Punch.

Pastor conspires with wife to defraud family

According to the police, Mrs Taiwo deliberately locked herself inside a room while her husband contacted relatives, claiming she had been kidnapped by gunmen. He reportedly demanded a ransom of N10 million to secure her release.

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One of the relatives, identified as Mr Fasegha O. Joseph, grew suspicious and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal.

The Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, working with officers from Enu-owa Division, moved into action and stormed the couple’s residence.

“On arrival, operatives discovered the woman hidden in a room. She falsely claimed to have just been released by kidnappers after a ransom of Five Million Naira was allegedly paid,” Ayanlade said.

The police added that during questioning, Mrs Taiwo admitted the entire incident was staged.

She confessed that the plan was designed to extort her relatives abroad and that she intended to use the money to settle debts and fund personal expenses.

“Upon further interrogation at the Command, Mrs Taiwo confessed that the abduction was staged as a self-kidnapping scheme, masterminded to extort money from her relatives abroad under the pretense of securing her release. She further admitted that her motive was to settle debts and provide for her personal needs,” the statement read.

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Both husband and wife are being held in custody and are expected to face charges after the conclusion of investigations.

The police reiterated their commitment to tackling crime in all forms within the state.

“We will diligently unravel all forms of criminality, whether real or staged, in order to preserve peace, protect lives, and safeguard the integrity of communities within the state,” Ayanlade added.

RCCG's Pastor Adeboye announces day he will die

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disclosed that he believes his death will occur on a Sunday after attending church service, dancing in worship, and eating his favourite meal of pounded yam.

The revered cleric shared this vision while ministering at the Old Auditorium during the evening session of Day 4 of the church’s 73rd Annual Convention.

The week-long event, themed The Overcomers, was held at the Redemption City of God along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng