Four arrested for attempted kidnapping, extortion in Kwara

Kwara State Police command has arrested four suspects for criminal conspiracy, attempted kidnapping and extortion.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Thursday, the police said that the incidents happened at two different locations in the state, namely, Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba, Baruten local government area and Iyana Share in the Ifelodun local government area.

The PPRO said that the suspects have been charged to court and remanded in one of the state’s correctional facilities.

The statement said that the suspects deviced the antic of placing a paper containing their phone numbers in their victims’ residence and demanded ransom from the people after they had called the suspects’ numbers.

“In response to a reported case of criminal conspiracy and threats to kidnap, the Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspects who attempted to extort money from a victim”

“On January 15, 2025, at about 06:30 hrs, a resident of Ajuba Fulani Camp, Ilesha Baruba, discovered a white paper placed at the front door of his residence with two phone numbers written on it.

“Upon calling one of the numbers, the receiver threatened to kidnap him and his family unless a ransom of ₦20 million was paid. After negotiations, the demand was reduced to ₦4 million. The victim promptly reported the case to the police.

Through intelligence-driven operations, operatives from the State Criminal Investigations Department (Anti-Kidnapping Squad) successfully tracked the identified phone numbers, leading to the arrest of two suspects. They are TUKUR MUHAMMAD AND YAHAYA ABDULLAHI.

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“During thorough interrogations, the suspects admitted to strategically placing their contact details at the victim’s residence to establish communication and coerce a ransom payment.

“Further investigations uncovered a pattern of criminal activity, indicating that the suspects had been utilizing multiple phone numbers to issue threats and extort unsuspecting individuals.

“The suspects have been charged to court and remanded in one of the states’s correctional facility.

Also, in the Ifelodun local government, the Kwara State Police Command said it foiled a kidnapping plot and arrested two suspects involved in criminal conspiracy and extortion.

“On January 9, 2025, at about 1100hrs, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command acted on a report by two individuals from Ifelodun Local Government Area who received threatening calls and messages demanding a ransom of Five million naira (#5,000,000) to avoid being kidnapped.

Through intelligence-led operations, the police detectives tracked and arrested one Umar Sanni of Tarshan Girgi, Wushishi of Niger State, whose apprehension led to the arrest of one Dairu Isiaku of Iyana Share, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State. Both suspects have confessed to their roles in the crime, including providing phone numbers of numerous potential victims and issuing threats to extort money.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the operatives for their swift and professional response, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of all residents. The suspects have been charged to court and remanded in prison custody.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE