The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday.

Hundeyin said that the husband, a 53-year-old technician and wife, 48-year-old masseuse and bone setter, were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday respectively after a family member of the man reported the purported kidnap.

He said the couple, who admitted to the crime, claimed they planned the self-kidnap with a view to raising N3 million to buy back their house in the Badagry area of Lagos.

“The man brought the idea and sold it to his wife. He did not deny it before the police. He said he did it through a text message for a purpose. He said he did it because he wanted to buy back his house with N3 million.

"The man claimed he decided to organise a self-kidnap because he has financially capable brothers and sisters abroad.

“He claimed that if they hear of his kidnap with his wife, they would negotiate with the kidnappers and pay the money,” the spokesperson said.

Hundeyin noted that the couple was still living in their house in Badagry when they sent out text messages of their kidnap to their relations, stressing that when police visited the house on Tuesday, they met the wife and three children.