Lagos Police Arrest Couple for Staging Fake Kidnap, Extorting ₦10 Million Ransom

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a couple, identified simply as Fred and Goodness, for allegedly staging their own kidnapp and extorting ₦10 million in ransom from their families and friends.

According to police sources, the couple faked their abduction on January 7, 2026, as part of a calculated plan to raise funds for the husband’s intended return to the United States, after financial support from sponsors reportedly failed. A source within the command revealed that the suspects contacted relatives on both sides of their families, falsely claiming they had been kidnapped and demanding ransom for their release. Believing the claims to be genuine, family members and friends reportedly raised ₦10 million within three days, thinking the money was required to secure the couple’s freedom. The couple faked their kidnapping, calling on friends and family for contributions toward the ransom. According to them, the husband wanted to travel back to the U.S. but lacked funds, and when sponsors did not come through, they jointly planned the scheme to raise money,” a police source disclosed. Investigators further revealed that the suspects arranged for the ransom to be delivered at a school in Cappa, Mushin area of Lagos. Operatives who were monitoring the location became suspicious after observing unusual movements at the premises. Security officers reportedly saw the woman enter the location alone, while the man arrived separately moments later. The coordinated movements raised red flags, prompting officers to intervene. Both suspects were subsequently apprehended, and the ransom money was recovered. Another police source confirmed that the couple confessed to orchestrating the fake kidnapping, with the wife allegedly admitting her active involvement in planning and executing the scheme. The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The incident adds to a growing number of self-staged kidnapping cases in Lagos, a trend that authorities warn is undermining public trust, exploiting families emotionally and financially, and diverting critical security resources from genuine crime-fighting efforts.