Most kidnap incidents are not real – Nigerian Police

The Nigerian Police Force has declared that a significant number of reported kidnap cases in the country are either fake or staged. This was made known by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, during the presentation of the gold medal to the winner of Ache and kickboxing at the 14th edition of the Biennial Police Games, known as “Oluyole 2024,” held at Ilaji Resorts Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Adejobi shed light on Nigeria’s prevalent perception of security challenges, stating that the reality is not as dire as many Nigerians believe. He emphasised the role of social media in shaping public opinion, noting that much of what circulates online is recycled and regurgitated as current issues, often leading to exaggerated concerns.

According to Adejobi, “Most kidnapping incidents are fake or stage-managed. When people shout that they are being kidnapped, not all incidents are real. Many people fake kidnapping to get money from their people, while some do that to collect ransom from their families.”

The police spokesperson further clarified that while there are isolated cases of kidnapping, the situation is not as bad as portrayed on social media platforms. He highlighted the efforts of law enforcement agencies in addressing these challenges, including regular arrests of perpetrators and dismantling their camps.

Addressing the dissemination of information regarding insecurity, Adejobi emphasised the importance of factual analysis based on data and incidents. He urged the public not to rely solely on speculation or psychological projections but to consider verified information provided by the police.

“If you want to analyse kidnapping, how many cases do we have in Oyo? How many do we have as per geo-political zone? So, if you want to analyse security situations, you don’t do that with mere speculations or psychological projections,” Adejobi stated.

Adejobi called on Nigerians to collaborate with the police and other security agencies in combating insecurity. He encouraged individuals to promptly raise alarms to enable swift police intervention against security threats.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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