The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday raised the alarm overthe recent disturbing cases of self-kidnapping in some parts of the country, warning the members of the public against the trend

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police described Self-Kidnapping as apunishable offense under the laws of the land,

According to the statement, the Police “cautions the public against engaging in such activities as there are legal consequences associated with this criminal act.

“This is following observed incidents of self-kidnapping in various locations, with suspects apprehended in Lagos and Abuja.

It pointed out that “in Lagos, a couple was arrested for an alleged self-kidnapping scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom recently.”

According to it, “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 kidnapping.

“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 financialdifficulties 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 20th January, 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 kidnapping, and arrested the suspect.”

Police, while lamenting that it was obvious that the suspect and many others leverage on the prevailing instances of kidnapping and plan to engagein such criminal and deceptive acts of staged or self-kidnapping to make money, stated that “these three cases are a few of similar cases recorded in some states, that have been thwarted by the Police,” it said..

The statementcautioned 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 would leave no stone unturned to cause such suspects to face the full wrath of the law.

“Equally, we vehemently encourage the media andsocial media influencers, bloggers, etc., to constantly verify news before broadcasting such, not to create panic and jeopardize our security arrangements”, the statement added. (Nigerian Tribune)