The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two Togolese nationals over an alleged kidnap and extortion plot in the state.

The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who also recovered the mobile phone allegedly used to issue threatening calls.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement that the operation followed a complaint lodged at the Okuta Police Division by one S. Ismaila of Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area.

According to her, the complainant reported receiving repeated anonymous telephone calls demanding ₦22 million to prevent his abduction.

She said the caller also threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom demand was not met.

Ejire-Adeyemi said police operatives immediately launched an intelligence-led operation.

“Working in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team and leveraging technical support, operatives swiftly tracked and arrested the two suspects,” she said.

She added that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to the alleged criminal conspiracy.

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

The command commended the professionalism and prompt response of the operatives, noting that their intervention prevented what could have become a serious security incident.

It also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police.

“The cooperation of the public remains indispensable in sustaining the prevailing peace and security across the state,” Ejire-Adeyemi said. (The Nation)