The Nigeria Police Force has warned against the trend of self-kidnap (false kidnap), saying it is a punishable offence under the law.
The police, therefore, cautioned the public against engaging in the criminal act.
Giving the warning yesterday, police’s spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, said some suspects were arrested at various locations in Lagos and Abuja, following incidents of self-kidnap.
He said: “In Lagos, a couple was arrested over an alleged self-kidnap scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom recently. The husband, Doubara David Yabrifa, a 53-year-old technician, and the wife, Regina Yabrifa, a 48-year-old body massager and bone setter, were apprehended after a family member reported the purported kidnap.
“The couple confessed to planning the self-kidnap to raise N3 million to purchase a property in Badagry, Lagos. The husband justified the act, citing financial difficulties and lack of support from relatives. Both were arrested and subsequently charged to court.
“Also, one Albarka Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, has been notorious for staging his kidnap on several occasions, and received ransoms from unsuspecting members of the community in Plateau State.
“Similarly, on January 20, 2024, a young man, Nnamdi Agu, faked his kidnap in Abuja, in an attempt to defraud one of his family members who resides around River Park Estate, Abuja, to make money to pay for his personal pleasures.
The police, in a swift response, foiled the staged kidnap and arrested the suspect.
“It is obvious that the suspect and many others leverage on the prevailing instances of kidnapping and plan to engage in such criminal and deceptive acts of staged or self-kidnap to make money. These three are a few of similar cases recorded in some states, and which the police have thwarted.”
Adejobi added: “The Police Force, hereby, cautions members of the public to be wary of this trend, while those with intent to venture into these criminal acts should desist as the police will leave no stone unturned to cause such suspects to face the full wrath of the law.
“Equally, we vehemently encourage the media and social media influencers, bloggers, etc., to constantly verify news before broadcasting such, not to create panic and jeopardise our security arrangements.”
