The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 21-year-old man, Soliu Olarewaju Mujeeb, over alleged kidnapping, abduction and murder of an electrical technician, Mr. Olarewaju Olusegun Afolabi, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The Command said the suspect was picked up after a detailed investigation into the disappearance of the victim, who left his home on June 7, 2026, to inspect an electrical installation job but never returned.
State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abbas Nda Mohammed, while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, said the case was reported to the Corps’ Tracking Unit on June 11 after the victim’s family could no longer reach him.
According to him, shortly after the victim went missing, his family began receiving calls demanding a ransom of ₦2 million from the victim’s mobile line.
“They were only able to raise ₦120,000, which was paid as instructed by the caller,” he said.
Mohammed added that operatives of the Corps immediately launched a technical and financial investigation, including tracing transactions linked to the victim’s Opay account, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspect.
He said the breakthrough revealed that the suspect, who allegedly worked with the deceased as a junior electrician, became a person of interest during the probe.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming that unresolved disagreements between him and the victim pushed him into committing the act.
“He stated that he lured the victim to an uncompleted building in the Kongile, Kunlende area of Ilorin under the pretext of inspecting a new electrical project,” the Commandant said.
According to the NSCDC, the suspect further admitted that he attacked and killed the victim at the location, after which he took possession of his mobile phone and SIM card, which he later used to contact the family for ransom.
“He subsequently used the victim’s phone to demand ransom from the family,” the Command added.
The Corps also disclosed that the suspect later led investigators to the scene of the crime, where a shallow grave suspected to contain the victim’s remains was discovered.
Items recovered from him reportedly include the victim’s mobile phone and SIM card.
The NSCDC said investigations are still ongoing and the case would be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further action and prosecution after preliminary procedures are concluded.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Command assured residents of Kwara State that it would continue working with other security agencies to curb violent crimes across the state.
It also urged residents of Ilorin to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities that could help prevent criminal acts in their communities.
(vitalnewsnrg.com)
