A Nigerian businesswoman has narrated how she narrowly escaped being jailed after she was unexpectedly linked to a kidnapping case involving a ₦50 million ransom.

In an interview with BBC Yoruba, shared on Facebook on Monday, Titilayo Ibrahim recounted how what began as a routine order for nightwear suddenly spiralled into a nightmare.

According to her, the incident began on October 16, 2025, when a supposed customer contacted her business line to buy nightwear. The caller, a woman, selected two pieces and claimed she was using her husband’s phone because hers was faulty. She later requested directions for pickup, and Ibrahim sent her estate junction location.

However, upon meeting the customer, two men arrived, identified themselves as police officers, and immediately arrested her, accusing her of using a SIM card involved in a major kidnapping and murder case.

“It happened that on October 16, 2025, a number texted my business line asking for nightwear. She picked two and said she was using her husband’s phone because hers was faulty. Later, they said they would come pick it up, so I gave them my estate junction location,” she said in Yoruba.

Despite her attempts to explain that the SIM card was newly purchased and used strictly for her MiFi device, the officers insisted she had been under surveillance. They alleged the number was previously used to demand a ₦50 million ransom before the victim was eventually killed.

“They claimed the line was used for kidnapping, ₦50m ransom was collected, and the victim was still killed. I told them I bought the SIM in April 2025, while the incident happened in January 2024.”

Even after visiting the network office, where records confirmed she bought the SIM in April 2025, the officers allegedly persisted in accusing her. Ibrahim said she was harassed and almost thrown into prison for a crime she knew nothing about.

“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” she concluded.

The revelation has sparked strong reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing shock and warning against purchasing pre-registered SIM cards. Others expressed fear over how easily an innocent person can become entangled in criminal investigations.

PUNCH had earlier reported in November 2025 how Titilayo Ibrahim, who was a graduate serving in Akure, was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department over a number linked to his NIN.

Providing further details about her ordeal, Ibrahim explained that the officers, led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of FID Abuja, claimed one of the phone numbers connected to her NIN was tied to the crime.

Recounting her ordeal, Ibrahim said, “The officers, led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the FID, Abuja, alleged that one of the phone numbers connected to my National Identification Number was involved in the crime.

“However, I had purchased my Airtel SIM on April 15, 2025, a fact later confirmed by Airtel’s official records. Despite this evidence, I was threatened with being taken to Abuja and detained overnight in Akure.

“On October 17, 2025, Airtel officially confirmed that the disputed SIM was indeed bought and activated in April 2025, fully clearing me. Yet, the police still took my phones to Abuja and instructed me to report there.” (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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