By DAYO ADESULU
The Lagos State Police Command has exposed a disturbing new trend of kidnapping, referred to as ‘Constructive Kidnapping’, where unsuspecting women are deceived by kidnappers posing as online friends or romantic interests.
How It Works
This scheme involves perpetrators reaching out to potential victims on social media platforms. By establishing a false sense of trust, they lure the victims to Lagos under the pretext of romantic engagements.
According to CP Olawale Ishola, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, the kidnappers use elaborate methods to gain the trust of their targets:
- They send substantial sums of money, up to N500,000, and cover business-class flight expenses.
- Victims are then taken to luxury hotels, where their phones are confiscated, and their money is transferred.
Subsequently, the kidnappers contact the victims’ families to demand ransom, using threats of harm to coerce compliance.
“It’s termed ‘Constructive’ because the victims unknowingly walk into the trap, believing it to be legitimate. We’ve rescued 16 ladies from this scheme,” CP Ishola stated during a media briefing on recent command breakthroughs between September 2024 and January 2025.
Other Cases of Deception
In a separate incident, a 15-year-old girl was rescued after allegedly conspiring with her boyfriend to extort money from her parents.
- The girl left home and, with the help of her boyfriend, staged a fake kidnapping, demanding ransom from her family.
- The police traced her to her boyfriend’s residence, where she was found with a baby.
“On January 8, 2025, a complaint was made about a missing 15-year-old girl. The following day, the family received ransom demands. With detailed investigations, we apprehended her and her boyfriend,” CP Ishola revealed.
Public Awareness and Warnings
The Lagos State Police Command is urging the public, particularly women, to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online.
- Avoid sharing personal details with unknown individuals.
- Report suspicious activities to the authorities.
“If you see something, say something,” CP Ishola advised.
Recent Successes by the Police Command
The command has made notable strides in combating various crimes, including:
- Smashing gangs targeting Uber drivers.
- Dismantling networks involved in illegal abductions.
- Recovering several kidnapped individuals safely.
This serves as a stern reminder for Nigerians to remain vigilant and mindful of the evolving tactics used by criminals in the digital age.
