The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a couple for allegedly orchestrating their own kidnapping and extorting N10m from relatives and friends.
The suspects, identified simply as Fred and Goodness, were apprehended after security operatives discovered they had staged the abduction to raise funds for the husband’s planned relocation to the United States.
It was gathered that the couple initiated the fake kidnapping scheme on January 7, claiming they needed financial assistance which their sponsors were unwilling to provide.
A police source who spoke, disclosed that the suspects contacted family members on both sides and demanded ransom, creating the impression that they had been abducted.
According to the source, the families mobilised N10m within three days, believing the payment would secure the couple’s release.
“They fabricated the kidnapping story and appealed to relatives and friends for contributions towards ransom payment. The husband needed money to return to the United States, but their sponsors refused to assist. So they hatched this plan together, hoping to raise the needed funds,” the source explained.
Another police source revealed that the couple selected a school premises in Cappa, Mushin, as the location for collecting the ransom.
“Operatives who were monitoring the area observed the woman entering the compound alone. Shortly after, the man arrived separately. Suspicion was aroused when both emerged together carrying a bag,” the source stated.
The operatives intercepted them, searched the bag, and recovered the ransom money, leading to their immediate arrest.
“During interrogation, the wife admitted she was the one who encouraged her husband to stage the fake abduction,” the source added.
Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to the police for further investigation, which confirmed the incident was a staged kidnapping.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development.
She said, “The couple will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.”