By Wilson Adekumola
The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a couple, name withheld, over alleged self-kidnap for N5 million ransom.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday.
The police spokesman explained that the husband, a 53-year-old technician and wife, 48 years old body massager and bone setter, were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday respectively after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnapping.
He said the couple, who confessed to the crime, claimed they planned the self-kidnap with the aim of raising N3 million to buy back their house at Badagry area of Lagos.
According to Hundeyin, “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 N3 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.”.
Hundeyin stated further that the couple was still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations.
He said 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.
Hundeyin 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 the UK are not willing to help him,” he quoted the woman’s confession to the police.
The police Spokesman who explained that the woman claimed to service an average of three clients for either bone setting or stroke massaging at the cost of about N150,000 per person depending on the condition of the patient, wondered why she could not gather such money for the project.
Meanwhile, he noted that the couple claimed they regretted their actions, pleading forgiveness with their families and police.
Hundeyin said that the suspects urged members of the public to avoid crime and never show interest in family or another people’s wealth.
He disclosed that the couple will be charge to court soon.
