Helen Kayode, a final-year student at Ekiti State University (EKSU), was apprehended by the Ekiti State Police for allegedly fabricating her own kidnapping to spend time with her boyfriend.
The incident reportedly triggered alarm in Iworoko-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti after Helen sent a message to her sister on May 1, claiming that she had boarded the wrong bus and had been abducted.
According to the police, the message quickly spread, causing public concern and disturbing the previously stable security environment in the region. SP Sunday Abutu, the police spokesperson, stated on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti that Kayode falsely claimed she was trapped in an abandoned building surrounded by thick vegetation.
“Kayode later confessed that she had fabricated the story to spend more time in Ado-Ekiti with her boyfriend and celebrate her birthday. She had been promised a special surprise,” Abutu added.
It was revealed that instead of being kidnapped, she had spent the night with her boyfriend before planning to travel to Lagos. Abutu further explained that Kayode had been under pressure from her parents to return to Lagos, but she preferred to remain in Ekiti for her celebration.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, strongly condemned the action and warned that individuals who circulate false information would face severe legal consequences. He confirmed that Kayode would be charged in court after further investigation and reiterated the police’s dedication to ensuring safety and peace in Ekiti.
