Many of the kidnap cases reported in Nigeria are either fake or planned by the victims themselves, according to the police. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, made this revelation on Wednesday, during the award ceremony for the athletes who participated in the boxing and archery categories of the 14th edition of the Biennial Police Games, held at Olajire Hotel and Resorts in Ibadan.
Adejobi said that the police had investigated several kidnap cases across the country, and found out that many of them were staged by the victims or their associates, for various reasons, such as extortion, revenge, or publicity. He said that some of the victims even paid ransom to themselves or their accomplices, and later claimed to have been rescued by the police.
He said that the police were not fooled by these antics, and that they had arrested and prosecuted many of the culprits, who would face the full wrath of the law. He also warned the public to desist from such criminal acts, as they could endanger their lives and waste the resources and time of the police.
“We have discovered that many of the kidnap cases reported in Nigeria are either fake or stage managed. Some of the victims do it for money, some for fame, some for revenge, and some for other motives. They think they can deceive the police and the public, but they are wrong. We have the intelligence and the technology to expose them, and we will not spare them. They will face the same punishment as the real kidnappers,” Adejobi said.
He added that the police were also working hard to combat the genuine cases of kidnapping in the country, which he said had reduced significantly in recent years, due to the efforts of the police and other security agencies. He said that the police had rescued many victims and arrested many suspects, and recovered many arms and ammunition from them.
He said that the police were also collaborating with other stakeholders, such as the government, the media, the civil society, and the community, to address the root causes of kidnapping, such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and insecurity. He said that the police were also sensitizing the public on how to prevent and report kidnapping, and how to support the victims and their families.
He commended the athletes who participated in the police games, and said that they had demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship, discipline, and excellence. He said that the games were not only a platform for showcasing the talents and skills of the police, but also a means of fostering unity, friendship, and cooperation among the police and the public.
He said that the police were committed to serving and protecting the people of Nigeria, and to upholding the rule of law and human rights. He said that the police were also ready to face any challenge or threat to the peace and security of the nation, and to ensure that Nigeria remains safe and prosperous.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
