Police arrest 26 foreign nationals over alleged false kidnap report in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended 26 foreign nationals after investigations into a reported kidnapping case revealed that the incident was allegedly fabricated.

Findings showed that those apprehended included 19 nationals of Chad and seven citizens of Cameroon.

The case reportedly began after a 22-year-old Cameroonian woman informed the police that she had been kidnapped following her arrival in Nigeria to meet a 39-year-old Chadian man she had been romantically involved with online.

However, investigations later indicated that the claim was false and was allegedly made after the woman discovered that the man was married.

Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, directed that the matter be transferred from Area N Command, Ijede, Ikorodu, to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for further investigation.

A police source disclosed on Friday that the complaint, which was lodged on June 16, immediately triggered a rescue operation by security operatives.

According to the source, language barriers initially complicated the investigation because the woman was unable to communicate fluently in English, prompting officers to initially treat the matter as a genuine kidnapping incident.

“The woman travelled from Cameroon to meet a man she had been communicating with online, but became upset after discovering that he was married.

“She later sought a means to return home discreetly and subsequently reported that she had been kidnapped,” the source stated.

Police operatives later traced the location where the woman claimed she was being held and discovered several foreign nationals occupying an apartment within the area.

The operation led to the apprehension of 26 foreigners, including four women, whose ages reportedly ranged between 19 and 50 years.

According to the police source, the individuals claimed to be involved in a networking business associated with a company identified as Ignite.

The source added that many of those apprehended could not provide valid travel documents, while some were suspected to have entered the country through illegal routes.

“They are currently undergoing profiling and immigration checks to determine their legal status and whether any immigration laws have been violated,” the source added.

The investigation is being handled by the Diplomatic and Foreigners Desk of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin.

Police authorities said investigations remain ongoing and assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the inquiry.