Police target fake kidnapping scams in Lagos
Three to four sentences introducing the story. The Lagos State Police Command is intensifying efforts to combat a surge in staged kidnapping scams across the state. According to spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi, several viral social media videos depicting abductions have turned out to be orchestrated hoaxes aimed at extorting money from victims’ families. The police have deployed tactical squads and are working with community leaders to improve information sharing and public vigilance. Residents are urged to verify distress calls and avoid falling for scams.
What happened
- The Lagos State Police Command uncovered multiple cases where kidnappings were faked to extort ransom payments, including a case involving a 26-year-old housewife and her husband in South Africa.
- In one incident, a 15-year-old boy and four friends staged his own abduction to obtain N1.7 million from his mother; police traced the transaction and arrested the suspects after the case was reported as a missing person incident on Nov. 26, 2025.
- Another case involved a young couple who faked the wife’s kidnapping to extort N10 million from relatives, motivated by financial hardship and failed travel plans.
- SP Abimbola Adebisi urged the public to remain vigilant, verify distress calls, and avoid transferring money without confirmation.
- The police emphasized the importance of community cooperation and timely reporting to help tackle crime and safeguard lives in Lagos.
