News

Lagos couple fake own kidnap, demand N5m ransom from relatives abroad

Published

1 month ago

April 30, 2023

The Lagos State Police have arrested a couple (names withheld) for allegedly organising their own kidnap and demanding ransom.

Police PRO, SP Benjamin Hundeyin told NAN on Saturday that the husband and wife demanded N5 million ransom from his siblings living abroad.

According to Hundeyin, police arrested the man, a 53-year-old technician on Wednesday and his 48-year-old wife, who’s a masseuse and bone setter, on Thursday after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnap.

He said the couple confessed to the crime and claimed their plan was to kidnap themselves with a view to raising N3 million to buy back their house in the Badagry area of Lagos.

“The man brought the idea and sold it to his wife. He did not deny it before the police. He said he did it through a text message for a purpose. He said he did it because he wanted to buy back his house with N3 million.

“The man claimed he decided to organise a self-kidnap because he has financially capable brothers and sisters abroad.

“He claimed that if they hear of his kidnap with his wife, they would negotiate with the kidnappers and pay the money,” Hundeyin said.

The Police spokesperson added that the couple were neither waylaid nor taken to unknown location, rather they were still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations.

He said when officers visited the house on Tuesday, they met the wife and three children.