The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested a couple (names withheld) over alleged self-kidnap for ₦5 million ransom.
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The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.
Hundeyin said that the husband, a 53-year-old technician and wife, a 48-year-old masseuse and bone-setter, were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday respectively after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnap.
He said the couple, who admitted to the crime, claimed they planned the self-kidnap with a view to raising ₦3 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 ₦3 million.
“The man claimed he decided to organise self-kidnap because none of his brothers and sisters 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,” the spokesperson quoted the man as saying.
Hundeyin noted that the couple was still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations, stressing that when police visited the house on Tuesday, they met the wife and three children.
He said the police requested the woman to follow them to the police headquarters, Ikeja, but the woman pleaded with them to allow her to come the next day Wednesday, which was granted.
The image maker said that the woman came to the station as promised and 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 will turn out negative.
“The woman claimed if the plan worked out, it would have been the easiest way to raise the money to buy back their house since her husband’s brothers in UK are not willing to help him,” he quoted the woman’s confession to the police.
Hundeyin pointed out that the woman claimed to service an average of three clients for either bone setting or stroke massaging at the cost of about ₦150,000 per person depending on the condition of the patient, wondering why she could not gather such money for the project.
He, however, said that the couple claimed they regretted their actions, appealing to their families and police for forgiveness.
The image maker said that the suspects advised members of the public to avoid crime and never be interested in family or another person’s wealth.
He said the couple would be charged to court soon.
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