The Kwara State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping and extortion plot in Baruten Local Government Area, arresting two nationals of the Republic of Togo accused of threatening to abduct a resident unless he paid a ransom of N22 million.
The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were arrested following a complaint lodged at the Okuta Police Division by a resident, S. Ismaila, who reported receiving repeated telephone calls from an unknown caller demanding N22 million to prevent his abduction.
According to the police, the caller also threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the money was not paid.
Acting on the report, police operatives launched an intelligence-led operation in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), using technical support to track down the suspects.
The command said investigations linked both suspects to the alleged criminal conspiracy, adding that they confessed to their involvement during interrogation.
Officers also recovered the mobile phone allegedly used to make the threatening calls, which has been retained as evidence.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, said their swift and coordinated response prevented what could have become a major security incident.
“The professionalism, prompt response and coordinated efforts of our operatives prevented what could have resulted in a serious security breach,” the commissioner said.
Adekimi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and vowed that all criminal elements operating within or attempting to infiltrate the state would be identified and brought to justice.
He disclosed that investigations had been intensified to uncover other members of the suspected criminal network.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
According to him, public cooperation remains essential to sustaining peace and security across Kwara State.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
