By Promise Eze
The police in Lagos State have arrested a couple for allegedly plotting their own kidnap and demanding a ransom of ₦5 million from their family members.
The husband, a 53-year-old technician, and his wife, a 48-year-old masseuse and bone-setter, were apprehended on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the couple admitted to the crime, claiming they planned the self-kidnap with the intention of raising ₦3 million to buy back their house in the Badagry area of Lagos. However, the couple was still living in the same house when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations.
“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.
When the police visited their residence, they found the wife and three children still at home. The police requested the woman to follow them to the police headquarters in Ikeja, but she pleaded with them to allow her to come the next day, which was granted. The woman was arrested for self-kidnap when she came to the station as promised, while her husband was arrested the following day.
“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.
The police spokesperson expressed surprise that the couple would resort to such an extreme measure despite making a combined income of ₦450,000 per month.
Hundeyin noted 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.
The couple has since apologized for their actions and appealed to their families and the police for forgiveness. They have been charged to court for the crime of self-kidnap, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment under Nigerian law.
