Lagos Police Reveal Online Kidnapping Tactics Involving Business-Class Flights
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a disturbing trend in kidnapping, termed “constructive kidnapping,” where women are lured by individuals posing as online friends or romantic partners.
Modus Operandi:
- Online Engagement: Perpetrators initiate contact with potential victims through social media platforms, establishing a sense of friendship or romantic interest.
- Enticements: To gain trust, they offer enticing incentives such as business-class flight tickets, substantial sums of money (up to ₦500,000), and reservations at luxurious five-star hotels, persuading victims to travel to Lagos.
- Isolation and Coercion: Upon arrival, victims are taken to luxury hotels where their phones are confiscated, and funds are transferred from their accounts. The kidnappers then contact the victims’ families, demanding ransom and threatening harm if their demands are not met.
Recent Developments:
- The Lagos State Police Command has successfully rescued at least 16 women from such schemes. Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Ishola, emphasized the deceptive nature of these operations, highlighting that victims are unwittingly lured into dangerous situations under the guise of luxury and affection.
- In a related incident, a 15-year-old girl conspired with her boyfriend to fake her own kidnapping to extort ransom from her parents. The police traced the girl and her boyfriend to his residence, where they were found with a baby.
Public Advisory:
The police urge the public, especially women, to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online. Offers that seem too good to be true should be approached with skepticism. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through official communication channels.