Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a man, Chigozie Anthony, for allegedly luring a young woman he met on TikTok to his residence and holding her captive while demanding a ransom of N500,000 from her parents, in a case that has exposed the dark side of social media romance and the growing trend of staged kidnappings for financial gain. Anthony was paraded alongside 15 other suspects before journalists by the Command's Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, during the maiden press briefing of the new Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, in Benin City on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. According to the police, the young woman was held at Anthony's residence while her parents were contacted and made to pay the N500,000 ransom before the suspect was arrested.
In a dramatic twist that has raised questions about the nature of the relationship, Anthony denied the kidnapping allegations, claiming that the young woman was his girlfriend and that they both planned the act together. He told journalists that the girl had asked him to hide her so that her family would pay money, as she needed funds for her nursing-related plans. "It's a plan between me and my girlfriend. We have been chatting for over more than a month now. So she came to my place, and told me that she wants to do business. She said after the work that she's learning now, which is nursing, she will need N800,000 and something thousand," Anthony said. He further explained that she would finish her nursing training next month and suggested that he hide her so her family would pay money, adding, "That was how I hid her and demanded N500,000 which the parents paid".
The police, however, have treated the matter as a case of kidnapping, with ASP Ikoedem confirming that the girl was held at Anthony's residence while her parents were contacted and made to pay the ransom before the suspect was arrested. The command has not disclosed whether the young woman has been charged or whether she will face any consequences for her alleged role in the scheme. Neither the girl nor her parents were available for comment during the press briefing, leaving the public to grapple with conflicting accounts of what truly transpired.
Anthony was among 16 suspects paraded by the Edo State Police Command for various crimes, including child defilement, vandalism, unlawful possession of firearms, and staged kidnapping. The parade also included a 42-year-old man, Oji Okoro, who was paraded for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old boy; 26-year-old Donatus Martins and his accomplice for allegedly vandalising cables and equipment worth over N4 million from the Africa Independent Television Benin office; Ajayi Godwin for alleged unlawful possession of firearms in Auchi; and Akinla Lawrence and his accomplice for alleged pipeline vandalism in the Okada axis of Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
The case of Chigozie Anthony highlights the growing trend of online romance turning into criminal enterprises, where social media platforms like TikTok become hunting grounds for fraudsters and desperate individuals seeking quick money. The ease with which individuals can connect, build trust, and then exploit that trust for financial gain has become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across Nigeria. The police have urged the public to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online and to verify the identities and intentions of those they meet on social media platforms.
As investigations continue, the Edo State Police Command has assured the public that all suspects will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations. The case has also raised questions about the extent of the young woman's involvement and whether she will be treated as a victim or an accomplice. For now, Chigozie Anthony remains in police custody, facing charges that could lead to significant penalties if convicted. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for young Nigerians navigating the treacherous waters of online dating, where love and trust can quickly give way to exploitation and crime.
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