Friday, January 30, 2026 - A Lagos-based couple, identified simply as Fred and Goodness, have been arrested for allegedly staging their own kidnap and extorting N10m in ransom from their families and friends.
The couple faked the abduction on January 7 to solicit funds
for the husband, who intended to return to the United States due to a lack of
financial support.
A police source who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday
said the suspects contacted relatives on both sides of the family and claimed
they had been kidnapped while demanding ransom.
The source added that the families raised N10m within three
days, believing the money was meant to secure their release.
“The couple faked their kidnapping, thereby calling on
friends and families for contributions towards the ransom payment. And what
happened was, according to them, the husband wanted to travel back to the US,
and he needed some money, but their sponsors were not forthcoming, so they
planned it together that maybe by the time they do that, they’ll be able to
raise some money.”
Speaking on their arrest, another police source in the
command said the couple arranged a location at a school in Cappa in the Mushin
area of Lagos, where the ransom was to be delivered.
“Operatives monitoring the area noticed the woman entering
the premises alone, while the man arrived separately moments later. However,
suspicion was raised when both suspects later emerged together carrying a bag.
“The operatives stopped them, searched the bag, and
discovered the ransom money, prompting their immediate arrest. The wife said
she was the one who encouraged the husband to make them plot the kidnap.”
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police,
where investigations confirmed that the incident was a case of self-kidnap.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola
Addebisi, confirmed the incident.
She said, “The couple will be charged to court upon the
conclusion of investigations.”
The incident added to the growing number of
self-orchestrated abduction cases uncovered by law enforcement.
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