The Nigeria Police Force has warned against the recent disturbing trend of self-kidnapping, which is a punishable offense under the laws.

Not only that, the Force also cautioned the public against engaging in such activities as there are legal consequences associated with this criminal act.

According to the force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, this is followed observed incidents of self-kidnapping in various locations, with suspects apprehended in Lagos and Abuja.

In Lagos, a couple was arrested for alleged self-kidnapping scheme aimed at obtaining a N5 million ransom recently.
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.

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.
These three cases, according to the police, are a few of similar cases recorded in some states, that have been thwarted by the Police.
The Force hereby cautioned members of the public to be wary of this trend while those with intent to venture into these criminal acts should desist as the force will leave no stone unturned to cause such suspects to face the full wrath of the law.