An Igede girl who claimed she was kidnapped on her way from Lagos to Otukpo has been found in Libya, where she is now working, according to a social media update by Ogor Joseph Odeh.
Arigwe Hannah, from Udebor Orihi Council Ward in Adum East, had last month claimed she was abducted. A video circulated on social media in which the supposed kidnappers demanded a ₦2 million ransom. Odeh, who had earlier shared the story, said a closer look at the circumstances raised serious doubts and led him to advise members of the public to stop sending money.
He questioned how kidnappers could abduct only one person along the highway, demand that the ransom be paid through bank transfer, keep their victim in an uncompleted building, and speak good English. These and other inconsistencies, he said, pointed to a staged operation.
When donations stopped, Hannah later sent a WhatsApp message to her sister claiming that because the ransom was not paid, one of her boyfriends had settled it and taken her to Libya. Odeh stated that she is currently in Libya and not in the hands of any kidnappers.
According to the account, Hannah never travelled to Igede as she claimed. She was kept in an uncompleted building in Ikorodu, Lagos. The entire episode was allegedly arranged by her boyfriend to raise money so she could travel out of the country.
Odeh thanked Hon. David A. Ogewu, who contributed ₦300,000 following the initial report, as well as others who donated. He confirmed that Hannah Arigwe is now doing a new job in Libya.
