The Kwara State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping and extortion attempt in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area of the state, leading to the arrest of two foreign nationals allegedly linked to the criminal plot.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Ejire-Adeyemi said the operation followed a complaint lodged at the Okuta Police Division by one S. Ismaila, who reported receiving threatening telephone calls from an unknown individual demanding ₦22 million to prevent his abduction.
According to her, the caller allegedly threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom demand was not met.
“The operation followed a report received at the Okuta Police Division from one S. Ismaila of Okuta, who reported that he had received a series of threatening telephone calls from an anonymous caller demanding the sum of Twenty-Two Million Naira (₦22,000,000.00) to avert his planned abduction.
“The suspect further threatened to kidnap the complainant and murder his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, should the demand not be met,” the PPRO said.
She added that police operatives immediately launched an intelligence-driven operation in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team, deploying technical support to track those behind the threats.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, both nationals of the Republic of Togo.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately activated intelligence-driven operational strategies. In collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and leveraging technical support, operatives swiftly tracked and arrested two suspects identified as Yakubu Ismaila (M) and Hadiza Kosia (F), both nationals of the Republic of Togo,” Ejire-Adeyemi noted.
The spokesperson said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the alleged criminal conspiracy, adding that both confessed to their roles during interrogation.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were directly linked to the criminal conspiracy. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the attempted kidnapping and extortion plot,” she stated.
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She further disclosed that investigators recovered the mobile phone allegedly used to place the threatening calls, describing it as a key exhibit in the ongoing investigation.
“A mobile phone used to issue the threatening calls was recovered from one of the suspects and has been taken into police custody as a critical exhibit,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and swift response, saying their coordinated efforts prevented what could have escalated into a serious security incident.
“I commend the professionalism, prompt response, and coordinated efforts of the operatives whose swift action prevented what could have resulted in a serious security breach,” he said.
The police boss also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and vowed to ensure that every member of the criminal network behind the plot is identified and brought to justice.
“The command’s investigations have been intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network, who will be brought to justice,” he added.
The police urged residents of Kwara State to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to maintaining peace and security across the state.