Police Arrest Two Togolese Nationals Over Foiled Kidnap Plot in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two foreign nationals over an alleged plot to kidnap and extort a resident in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, both citizens of the Republic of Togo, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation that also led to the recovery of a mobile phone allegedly used to issue ransom threats.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday.

According to the police, the operation began after one S. Ismaila of Okuta reported receiving repeated threatening phone calls from an unidentified individual demanding ₦22 million to prevent his planned abduction.

The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the money was not paid.

Following the report, operatives attached to the Okuta Police Division immediately launched an intelligence-driven investigation in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), using technical support to trace the suspects.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, who were allegedly linked to the criminal conspiracy.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects played active roles in the attempted kidnapping and extortion scheme.

“During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the attempted kidnapping and extortion plot. A mobile phone used to issue the threatening calls was recovered from one of the suspects and has been taken into police custody as a critical exhibit,” the statement said.

Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, commended the professionalism and swift response of the officers involved in the operation, noting that their timely intervention prevented what could have developed into a major security incident.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and assured residents that security agencies would continue to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating within or attempting to infiltrate the state.

The commissioner also disclosed that investigations had been intensified to identify and arrest other members of the suspected syndicate.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to the police, stressing that public cooperation remains essential in sustaining peace and security across Kwara State.