Police Arrest Two Togolese Over Alleged ₦22m Kidnap Extortion Plot In Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command says it has foiled an alleged kidnap and extortion plot targeting a resident of Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area of the state, following the arrest of two nationals of the Republic of Togo.

The suspects, identified by the police as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) after they allegedly threatened to abduct a Nigerian resident and demanded ₦22 million in exchange for his safety.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly warned the victim, identified as S. Ismaila, that failure to pay the demanded amount would lead to his kidnap and the killing of his younger brother, Musa Ismaila.

The command said the intervention followed a formal complaint lodged by the victim at the Okuta Police Division.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the police spokesperson, officers immediately activated intelligence-led strategies after receiving the complaint.

The statement said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team, with the support of technical resources used to track and apprehend the suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately activated intelligence-driven operational strategies,” the statement said.

The police added that the suspects were arrested after being linked to the alleged criminal conspiracy.

The command said preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects were allegedly connected to the extortion attempt.

Police further claimed that during interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the alleged kidnapping and extortion plan.

A mobile phone reportedly used to make threatening calls to the victim was recovered from one of the suspects and is currently being held as an exhibit as investigations continue.

The police did not disclose whether additional suspects had been identified or arrested.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the arrests as a result of effective intelligence gathering and coordinated policing.

He said the command remains committed to preventing criminal activities and ensuring that individuals involved in kidnapping and related offences are brought to justice.

The commissioner also directed that investigations should continue to identify other members of the alleged criminal network who may still be at large.

The Kwara Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime.

The command said cooperation between residents and law enforcement remains critical to sustaining security across the state.

Meanwhile, the suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.