The couple, who admitted to the crime, claimed that they had planned the self-kidnap to raise N3 million to buy back their house in the Badagry area of Lagos. “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,” said SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police command’s spokesperson.
The husband planned the kidnapping because his well-to-do siblings were reluctant to assist him. Mr. Hundeyin noted that the couple was still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations. The police requested the woman to follow them to the police headquarters, Ikeja, but she pleaded with them to allow her to come the next day, Wednesday, which was granted.
When the woman arrived at the station as promised, she was arrested for self-kidnap, while the husband was arrested the following day, Thursday. “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,” Hundeyin quoted the woman’s confession to the police.
According to Hundeyin, the woman claimed to service an average of three clients for either bone setting or stroke massaging at about N150,000 per person, depending on the patient’s condition. The couple claimed they regretted their actions and appealed to their families and police for forgiveness.
The news of the couple’s self-kidnap has been met with shock and disbelief. According to a Badagry resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “This is unbelievable. I have known this couple for years, and they are the last people I would expect to do something like this.”
Another resident, who gave her name as Funmi, said, “It is sad that some people would go to such lengths to get money. I hope they learn their lesson and turn a new leaf.”
The couple’s arrest has been hailed by many as a sign that the police in Lagos State are getting better at their job. According to a spokesperson for the police in the state, “The police will not rest until every criminal in Lagos is brought to justice. We will not allow criminals to operate with impunity.”
Many have called on the police to ensure that the couple is brought to book for their crime. According to a legal practitioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The couple’s actions were not only criminal but also stupid. They should be punished to the full extent of the law.”
The couple’s arrest has also sparked a conversation about the state of the economy in Nigeria and the lengths people are willing to go to make ends meet. According to a financial expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “This is a sad reflection of the state of the economy in Nigeria. Many people are struggling to make ends meet, and some are resorting to illegal means to get money. The government needs to do more to create jobs and improve the economy.”