A Nigerian man has found himself in trouble after allegedly faking his own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of just ₦20,000, an act that has drawn both ridicule and concern from the public.
The bizarre incident was brought to light in a video shared on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) by user @Akinjoshua2017. The footage shows the alleged kidnapper after being exposed, sparking laughter and commentary across online platforms.
The individual who uploaded the video sarcastically captioned it: “You kidnap yourself and ask for ₦20k ransom. Very upcoming kidnapper,” a statement that immediately set the tone for a wave of humorous reactions.
According to reports circulating with the video, the man had planned the entire act in a bid to extract a small sum of money from acquaintances or family members. The low ransom demand of ₦20,000 — an amount considered trivial by most — has added to the mockery and disbelief expressed by viewers.
While the full details of his punishment have not been made public, sources suggest that he has been apprehended and is facing legal consequences for orchestrating the fake abduction, which authorities treat as a serious offense under Nigerian law.
The video has since gone viral, with netizens flooding the comments with their thoughts, mostly a mix of laughter and pity, as many believe the act may have been driven by financial desperation.
See some reactions below:
@gbolahann01_: “Hunger wan finish am.”
@TheSilvapr: “Lmao wtf.”
@Wizebaba: “Werey.”
Others have called for better support systems and mental health evaluations, pointing out that economic hardship may be pushing people to extreme actions.
The video continues to gain traction, serving as both a humorous anecdote and a reflection of the growing socioeconomic pressures in some parts of the country.
WATCH VIDEO:
This guy kîdnapped himself and collected ransom of 20k ,😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/AYffLOTHcQ
— AVWEROSUOGHENE (@Akinjoshua2017) May 21, 2025