A Nigerian couple (names withheld) has been detained by the Lagos State Police for reportedly organizing their own kidnapping and demanding ransom.
PRO and SP police Benjamin Hundeyin reported to NAN on Saturday that the husband and wife requested for N5 million ransom from their siblings living overseas.
According to Hundeyin, after a family member of the guy reported the alleged kidnapping, police detained the man, a 53-year-old technician, on Wednesday, and his 48-year-old wife, a masseuse and bone setter, on Thursday.
According to him, the couple confessed to the crime and said they intended to kidnap themselves in order to get N3 million to pay for their house in Lagos’ Badagry neighborhood.
The couple was still residing in their home in Badagry when they sent text messages to their loved ones informing them of their kidnapping, the Police official stated. They were not lost nor brought to an unknown location.
He claimed that the wife and three kids were present when the police showed up at the home on Tuesday.
“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.