A married woman whose disappearance sparked public fundraising efforts after her family believed she had been kidnapped has been found in a hotel with a man alleged to be her lover.
The woman, identified as Oluchi, reportedly went missing on May 27, 2026, from the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Following her disappearance, family members received calls from individuals claiming she had been abducted and demanding ₦50 million for her release.
Concerned relatives subsequently launched a public appeal for assistance, sharing her photograph across social media platforms and seeking donations to secure her freedom.
Her daughter, Anita, who lives in Canada, reportedly led the fundraising efforts, while members of Harmony Ladies Club, an association to which Oluchi belongs, also mobilized support and donations.
However, investigations by the Edo State Police Command later led officers to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where Oluchi was reportedly found in the company of a man identified as Israel Ability.
According to reports, investigators tracked the phone number allegedly used to demand ransom from the family, leading them to the suspect’s location.
“Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel,” a source familiar with the investigation reportedly said.
Following the discovery, police informed Oluchi’s husband, Tony, about the development.
Reacting in a viral video, Anita expressed shock and disappointment over the outcome of the investigation.
“My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mum,” she said.
She stated that the family had involved law enforcement authorities from the beginning and confirmed that no ransom payment had been made before her mother was located.
“We didn’t pay the kidnappers. The money is intact. We are going to make a refund. We involved the Police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping,” Anita explained.
She further claimed that investigators informed the family that her mother and another individual had allegedly planned to benefit from part of the funds that had already been raised.
According to Anita, the revelation has left the family devastated.
“This has shattered my family. My dad has some health issues. This is so unfortunate,” she said.
Harmony Ladies Club has also reportedly expressed disappointment over the incident and distanced itself from Oluchi.
Confirming the case, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Yamu, said four individuals had been arrested in connection with the matter.
“I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have also been arrested in connection with the incident,” Yamu said.
Police added that investigations remain ongoing.
