In a swift and strategic operation, the Kwara State Police Command has successfully foiled two separate kidnapping attempts and arrested four suspects in connection with the crimes. The arrests, which occurred in the Baruten and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara, follow intelligence-led investigations by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the State Criminal Investigation Department.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspects were apprehended after attempts to extort millions of Naira from residents through threats of abduction. These incidents highlight the ongoing battle against kidnapping and extortion in Nigeria and underscore the diligence of law enforcement agencies in ensuring public safety.
The first of the two incidents took place in the Baruten Local Government Area, where two suspects—Tukur Muhammad and Yahaya Abdullahi—were arrested for attempting to extort a ransom of ₦4 million from a resident of Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba. Initially, the suspects had demanded a staggering ₦20 million in exchange for the safety of the victim and his family. However, following negotiations, they reduced their demand to ₦4 million.
The victim, after receiving a threatening letter placed at his doorstep, promptly contacted the authorities, sparking a fast-track investigation. The letter contained two phone numbers, and upon calling one of them, the victim was directly threatened with kidnapping. Acting quickly on this lead, police operatives traced the phone numbers, which eventually led to the arrest of Muhammad and Abdullahi. During questioning, the suspects confessed to planting the letter in an effort to intimidate the victim into paying a hefty ransom. Further investigations revealed that the suspects had been using multiple phone numbers in similar operations across the region.
The second incident occurred in Ifelodun Local Government Area, where two other suspects, Umar Sanni and Dairu Isiaku, were arrested for attempting to extort ₦5 million from their victims. The suspects, like those in Baruten, had used threatening phone calls and messages to demand a ransom from their targets. On January 9, 2025, two victims in Ifelodun reported receiving calls and messages demanding ₦5 million in exchange for their safety. The Anti-Kidnapping Squad, acting on this report, tracked down the phone numbers and arrested Sanni in Wushishi, Niger State, which led to the subsequent arrest of Isiaku in Iyana Share, Kwara State.
Both Sanni and Isiaku have since admitted their involvement in the extortion plot, revealing their strategy of using numerous phone numbers to target and intimidate potential victims into paying large ransoms. The police’s swift response to these crimes prevented what could have been yet another devastating case of kidnapping for ransom in the region.
Kwara’s Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, has lauded the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for their vigilance and quick action. He emphasized that the police will continue to combat crime with zero tolerance, particularly with regard to kidnapping and extortion, which remain major threats to public safety. The four suspects have been charged in court and remanded in a federal correctional facility as investigations continue.
These operations highlight the significant efforts of the Kwara State Police Command in addressing criminal activities and protecting the safety of its citizens. The police’s focus on intelligence-driven operations is proving to be an effective strategy in preventing criminal activities and bringing perpetrators to justice.
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