The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended two students accused of orchestrating their own kidnapping.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects, Ayodele Balogun, 21, and Dennis Okuomo, 21, demanded a ransom of $100,000 (approximately ₦150 million) from their parents.

Hundeyin stated that the motive behind the fake abduction was to raise funds to assist their friend Ayodele, who comes from a financially disadvantaged family.

The suspects allegedly faked their own kidnappings and demanded the ransom, with Ayodele disappearing from home on February 2, while Dennis used Ayodele’s phone to inform his father of the supposed kidnapping.

The ransom demand was made through Bitcoin, with Ayodele hiding in Dennis’s room at his father’s hotel.

When the ransom couldn’t be raised, Dennis also staged his abduction, demanding $100,000 from his father.

Both suspects hid in a bush for five days during negotiations and investigations before returning to Dennis’s room, claiming to have escaped from the kidnappers.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the kidnapping was fabricated, leading to the arrest of the duo.

“They are in our custody, having perpetrated the self-kidnap,” Hundeyin stated.