In a bizarre twist of events, the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a bride-to-be who staged her own kidnapping after allegedly spending ₦3.6 million — funds meant for her wedding preparations — on a lavish bridal shower.
The incident, which has shocked many across the state, occurred in Warri just days before the woman's scheduled wedding ceremony. According to police reports, the young bride, whose identity is being withheld pending investigation, orchestrated the fake abduction in an attempt to avoid the fallout after misappropriating the money given to her by her elder brother to finalize wedding logistics.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said in a statement: “The Command received a report from the victim’s family that she had gone missing and was believed to have been kidnapped. An extensive investigation was immediately launched. However, further inquiries and phone tracking revealed that she had taken refuge at a hotel in Ughelli under a false identity.”
DSP Edafe further disclosed that upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to faking her own abduction after exhausting the ₦3.6 million on an extravagant bridal shower, which included designer outfits, a rented luxury space, paid guests, and a short vacation outside the state.
“She said she panicked after realizing the money was finished and feared confronting her brother, who had sacrificed greatly to support her wedding,” the police spokesman added.
The brother, a UK-based engineer who flew into Nigeria specifically for the wedding, was said to be devastated upon learning the truth. According to family sources, he had withdrawn the money from his personal savings to ensure his sister had a memorable wedding celebration.
The suspect has been charged with giving false information to the police and staging her own kidnap — offenses that may carry serious penalties under Nigerian law. Authorities say she is currently in custody pending further legal proceedings.
This incident has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many criticizing the culture of excessive wedding spending and unrealistic social media-driven expectations among young Nigerians.
In response to the incident, the Delta State Police Command reiterated its warning against frivolous claims of kidnapping, emphasizing that such acts not only waste public resources but also undermine the efforts of security agencies combating real crime in the region.