The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested Helen Kayode, a graduating student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in order to spend time with her boyfriend.
The police confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stating that Helen’s actions caused widespread panic across Iworoko-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti. On May 1, she sent a message to her sister claiming she had boarded the wrong bus and was kidnapped.
Police spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu, explained that the message went viral, sparking public fear and disturbing the otherwise peaceful security situation in the state. In her message, Helen claimed she was being held hostage in an uncompleted building surrounded by bushes.
Abutu further noted that the false report created a stir on social media, which disrupted the calm atmosphere in Ekiti. However, following police investigation, it was revealed that Helen had not been kidnapped. Instead, she had spent the night with her boyfriend before planning to travel to Lagos.
According to Abutu, Helen confessed during questioning that she fabricated the story to delay her return to Lagos and celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend, who had promised her a “surprise package.”
Helen explained that her parents had insisted she return to Lagos, against her wishes, which led her to create the false narrative.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, condemned the incident, warning that those spreading false information would face legal consequences. He assured the public that the suspect would be charged in court after further investigation and reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property in Ekiti.
