Lagos police foil couple’s attempt to raise money through self-kidnap
The Lagos State Police Command has reported the arrest of a couple for allegedly planning their own kidnapping and demanding N5 million ransom.
The husband, a 53-year-old technician, and his wife, a 48-year-old body massager and bone setter, were arrested on Wednesday, April 26, and Thursday, April 27, respectively, after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnapping.
According to SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, the couple admitted to the crime, claiming they planned the self-kidnap to raise 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 text message for a purpose. He said he did it because he wanted to re-buy his house back with N3 million,” Hundeyin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The man claimed he decided to organise the self-kidnap because none of his siblings, who are doing well and some living abroad, are willing to assist him financially.
“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 found that the husband and wife were still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations.
However, when police visited the house on Tuesday, April 25, they met the wife and three children.
The police requested the woman to follow them to the police headquarters in Ikeja, but she pleaded with them to allow her to come the next day Wednesday, which was granted.
The woman kept her promise and showed up at the station, but she was arrested for self-kidnap, while the husband was arrested the following day, Thursday.
“She admitted that she supported her husband in the crime. She also admitted that her husband discussed the matter with her and she gave her approval because they never thought it would turn out negative,” Hundeyin said.
The woman claimed that if the plan had worked out, it would have been the easiest way to raise the money to buy back their house since her husband’s brothers in the UK were not willing to help him.
Hundeyin added that the couple claimed to regret their actions and appealed to their families and police for forgiveness.
The couple will be charged to court soon.
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