The Lagos State Police Command has launched a robust crackdown on a growing trend of staged kidnappings circulating on social media, which have been used to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
In recent weeks, videos claiming to show abductions have gone viral, causing panic and prompting ransom payments.
However, investigations revealed that many of these incidents were elaborate scams designed to exploit public fear.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos Police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has deployed Tactical Squads and anti-crime units across the state to ensure rapid response to any reported kidnapping.
She also stated that Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) have been directed to collaborate with community leaders to enhance information sharing.
“The command is monitoring social media and other platforms closely to quickly verify reports and prevent unnecessary public anxiety,” Adebisi noted.
The police highlighted several recent cases of staged kidnappings. One involved a 26-year-old housewife whose abduction alarmed her family overseas.
Her husband, based in South Africa, was contacted by the purported kidnappers, who demanded an initial ransom of N10 million, later reduced to N3 million.
He eventually paid N2.5 million, yet no release occurred.
Further investigation revealed that the woman had orchestrated the kidnapping with an accomplice in Osun State, who provided a SIM card used to negotiate the ransom.
Adebisi added that the alleged stolen iPhone had already been sold prior to the staged incident.
In another instance, five teenagers, aged between 15 and 20, were arrested for faking a kidnapping in the Ago Palace area of Lagos.
A 15-year-old boy, with the help of friends, pretended to be abducted in a friend’s home to extort N1.7 million from his mother. Police tracked the ransom payment via a POS terminal, leading to the suspects’ arrest.
The case had initially been reported as a missing person incident on November 26, 2025, triggering widespread concern before the truth emerged.
Additionally, a young couple was apprehended for allegedly faking the wife’s kidnapping to extort N10 million from relatives and friends.
Investigations revealed that the couple’s motive stemmed from financial difficulties and the husband’s unsuccessful attempts to return to the United States.
The plot was uncovered at a school in Cappa, Lagos, after staff noticed suspicious behavior and alerted authorities.
The 19-year-old woman admitted the scheme, describing it as a “prank” intended to help her husband cope with frustrations.
SP Adebisi urged the public to exercise caution, verify distress calls, and report any suspicious activity promptly.
She emphasised that false reporting and deceptive schemes not only endanger lives but also divert critical police resources.
Families were advised to maintain regular communication with loved ones and establish verification codes for emergencies.
She warned criminals to desist from such schemes and assured residents that the police command would continue to enhance security measures across Lagos.
Residents were also encouraged to support the police by providing timely and credible information.
“Do not rush to transfer money without confirming the situation.
Report suspicious activities immediately to the nearest police station or through our emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, and 08039344870,” Adebisi concluded.
