Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

A man has staged his own kidnapping to avoid getting married and only came clean after a huge search operation involving an elite military unit was organised by the authorities.

The incident took place in the town of Pitalito in the south-western Colombian department of Huila when the man’s friends notified the police of his alleged kidnapping.

According to the friends, armed men on a motorbike had supposedly kidnapped the groom-to-be on the street before speeding off.

Acting quickly, police commander Nestor Vargas reportedly assembled a crack team and closed several roads in the municipality to catch the ‘kidnappers’ as they tried to leave town.

Intelligence officers coordinated with several police teams on the ground and soldiers of the Gaula military elite unit were even called in, according to local media.

The groom-to-be was eventually found at a relative’s house.

Reports said that his friends confessed to their plan when they learned about the size of the search operation.

Vargas told local media: “They admitted it was a staged kidnapping because their friend had chickened out of his upcoming wedding.

“He decided against it and hid to avoid the scheduled church ceremony.”

Since the incident, the 55-year-old man has left town to live in the nearby municipality of Caqueta to avoid the jeers and scorn of his neighbours as it is the second time he has jilted a woman at the altar, according to reports.

Even his fiancee’s family cried when learned about his reported kidnapping.

It is currently unclear whether the man will face charges for wasting police time and resources.

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