The Lagos State Police Command has alerted the public to the new trend of abduction called ‘constructive kidnapping’.
The commissioner of police, Mr Olarenwaju Ishola, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ikeja at the weekend.
In the new method, Ishola said the kidnappers would lure unsuspecting ladies to pose as internet friends and lovers on the social media platforms.
He explained that they (kidnappers) would tag their potential victims as friends on the social media platforms, establishing a false sense of acquaintance.
Once the victims’ guard is lowered, the kidnappers invite them to Lagos, often under the guise of a romantic rendezvous.
These kidnappers according to the commissioner, would send substantial amounts of money, up to N500, 000, to their victims, as well as cover their flight expenses to Lagos.
Upon arrival, the unsuspecting victims are taken to five-star hotels, where their phones are seized, and their bank accounts emptied.
Thereafter, he said the kidnappers would contact the victim’s relatives, demanding ransom and threatening to them (victims) if their (kidnappers) demands were not met.
The commissioner added that the “cunning” and “ruthless” scheme had already trapped 16 ladies from various parts of the state, who were fortunate to have been rescued by the police command.
“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.
“We’ve 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,” Ishola said.
He, therefore, warned members of the public, especially ladies to be cautious when interacting with stranger persons online, advising members of the public to “say something when they see something.”
Similarly, Ishola announced how a 15-year-old girl was rescued after she allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to demand ransom from her parents, pretending that she had been kidnapped.
“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,” he said.
