Senator Ned Nwoko has called on security agencies to impose stricter punishments on individuals caught staging their own abductions.
The lawmaker, representing Delta North Senatorial District, made the appeal in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, expressing concern over the rising cases of fake kidnappings across the country.
He noted that making culprits face the full weight of the law would send a clear message that such deceit has no place in Nigerian society.
According to him, he recently received a distress call from a parent whose son was said to have been kidnapped, with a viral video showing him in the forest of Aniocha North.
“I immediately mobilised the police and local vigilantes for rescue, only for investigations to reveal that the young man staged his kidnapping.
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“This is a reckless and criminal act, alien to the values of our people in Delta North, and it must not be allowed to take root.
“Staged kidnappings traumatise families, waste vital security resources, erode public trust, and trivialise the suffering of genuine victims.
“I therefore urge security agencies to ensure the culprits face the full weight of the law, to send a clear message that such deceit has no place in our society.”
He said that as senator representing Delta North, he remained committed to safeguarding communities in the constituency, supporting security agencies, and ensuring peace and trust prevail among the people.