Kwara: Police arrest two foreign nationals in foiled kidnap plot
Kwara Police Arrest Two Togolese Nationals in Foiled Kidnapping Plot
Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have apprehended two Togolese nationals, Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, in connection with a foiled kidnapping attempt in the Baruten Local Government Area.
The arrests followed the disruption of a planned kidnapping and extortion scheme, during which police recovered a mobile phone believed to have been used to facilitate the crime.
According to a statement from Police Spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation was initiated after a report from S. Ismaila, a resident of Okuta. The complainant reported receiving multiple threatening phone calls from an anonymous source demanding ₦22 million to prevent his abduction. The caller also threatened to kidnap Ismaila’s younger brother, Musa, if the payment was not made.
In response to the distress call, police implemented intelligence-driven strategies. Working in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team, investigators tracked and arrested the suspects.
Preliminary investigations indicated the suspects’ direct involvement in the criminal conspiracy. During questioning, they reportedly admitted to participating in the kidnapping and extortion scheme. The mobile phone linked to the threatening calls has been secured as evidence.
State Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi praised the prompt and coordinated efforts of the police operatives, emphasizing that their actions averted a potentially serious security incident. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the ongoing pursuit of criminal elements in the state.
Adekimi assured residents that investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the criminal network, who will be brought to justice. He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to assist law enforcement, highlighting the importance of community cooperation in maintaining peace and security across Kwara State.
