The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Doubara David Yabrifa, a 53-year-old technician, and his wife, Regina Yabrifa 48-year-old body for faking their kidnapping.

The couple reportedly staged their kidnapping to extort N5 million from their family members.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, advised citizens to desist from self-kidnapping.

In Lagos, a couple was arrested for an 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 N3m to purchase a property in Badagry, Lagos. The husband justified the act, citing financial difficulties and a lack of support from relatives. Both were arrested, and they were subsequently charged in court.”

Similarly, one Albarka Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, has been notorious for staging his kidnapping on several occasions and has received ransoms from unsuspecting members of the community in Plateau State.”

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby warns against the recent disturbing trend of self-kidnapping, which is a punishable offence under the laws, and cautions the public against engaging in such activities as there are legal consequences associated with this criminal act. This follows observed incidents of self-kidnapping in various locations, with suspects apprehended in Lagos and Abuja.

“The Force hereby cautions members of the public to be wary of this trend, while those with intent to venture into these criminal acts should desist, as the police will leave no stone unturned to cause such suspects to face the full wrath of the law.”