The Lagos State Police Command has issued a strong warning to residents over a disturbing rise in staged kidnappings aimed at extorting ransom from unsuspecting family members.
The alert was issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the police, several viral kidnapping videos and distress calls circulating online were found to be scams orchestrated by the supposed victims themselves.
The Lagos Police Command says it is intensifying monitoring efforts, particularly across social media, to detect and prevent the spread of staged abduction schemes swiftly.
Adebisi confirmed that Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has deployed tactical units and directed divisional officers to collaborate closely with community leaders to improve information flow.
Police investigations show that several alleged kidnapping cases turned out to be orchestrated attempts by victims themselves to defraud loved ones.
Police authorities confirmed that this was not an isolated incident, with similar patterns being observed across Lagos.
Further investigations revealed more incidents of fake abductions involving young people and couples seeking to extort money from their families.
These cases were initially reported as genuine missing person incidents, fueling public panic before police investigations revealed the truth.
The surge in fake kidnappings presents a troubling development in Nigeria’s broader kidnapping crisis.
The involvement of the so-called victims not only complicates investigations but also weakens public trust in legitimate security alerts.
The Lagos State Police Command has urged residents to verify kidnapping claims before transferring money or spreading panic.
Adebisi emphasized that security is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to support law enforcement efforts to tackle both traditional and emerging forms of crime.