A new trend of kidnapping termed ‘Constructive Kidnapping’ has been uncovered by the Lagos State Police Command, where mainly ladies are targeted through
Posing as internet friends and lovers, unsuspecting ladies are lured by kidnappers and eventually are kidnapped.
The Lagos Statecommand revealed that this tactics has already trapped more than 16 ladies from various parts of the state, who were fortunate to be rescued
Also, a 15-year-old girl was rescued after surprisingly allegedly conspiring with her boyfriend to demand ransom from her parents, pretending that she had been kidnapped.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Ishola, while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements between September 2024 and January 2025, over the weekend described the mode of operation of the kidnapping as cunning and ruthless.
The kidnappers , begin by tagging their potential victims as friends on social media platforms, establishing a false sense of acquaintance. Once the victim’s guard is lowered, the kidnappers invite them to Lagos, often under the guise of a romantic invite.
According to the command, these kidnappers would bear their flight expenses to Lagos and also send substantial amounts of money, up to N500,000, to their victims.
The victims are then taken to five-star hotels upon arrival, where their phones are seized, and money transferred out from their bank account. The kidnappers then contact the victim’s relatives, demanding ransom and threatening to kill the victims if their demands are not met.
”It is Constructive kidnapping because you have a scenario where a lady is lured from her safe space to Lagos by a group of boys or a single individual. They make it enticing by sending a business-class flight ticket, N500,000, and booking a luxurious five-star hotel. The victim feels like they’ve ‘arrived,’ unaware that it’s all a ruse,” CP Ishola said
” I have rescued at least 16 ladies from this trap. As soon as they arrive, the kidnappers mess the ladies up, seize their phones, transfer their money, and contact their relatives to demand more ransom, threatening to kill the victim if their demands aren’t met. It’s termed ‘constructive’ because the victims unwittingly walk into the trap set for them. However, we’re always one step ahead,” he added.
In a similar case, a 14-year-old girl with an undisclosed identity who was reported to have been kidnapped, was traced to her boyfriend’s abode, with a baby.
According to CP Ishola, ” On January 8, 2025, a complainant reported that her daughter Anuoluwapo Victoria, 15 years left home to an unknown destination, that on January 9, 2025, she received a phone call and an account was sent for her to pay ransom for the released of her daughter.
“They have been sending money to the account until we were able to apprehend her and her boyfriend on Friday night. She was with a baby”.
The CP therefore, warned members of the public, especially ladies to be mindful of their interactions with strangers online.
