Two Togolese in Kwara Police net over foiled kidnap attempt

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By Demola Akinyemi

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The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of Kwara State Police Command has arrested two Togolese over plans to extort N22 million from a Nigerian through kidnapping.

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Vanguard reliably gathered that the Togolese suspects identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia had severally threatened one S. Ismaila, a Nigerian resident of Okuta, to pay them N22 million, otherwise he would be kidnapped while his younger brother Musa Ismaila would be murdered.

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Spokesperson of the command, Ejire Adeyemi, who confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, said that the victim reported the incident at the Okuta police division.

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The statement added that, “upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately activated intelligence-driven operational strategies.

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“In collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and leveraging technical support, operatives swiftly tracked and arrested two suspects identified as Yakubu Ismaila (M) and Hadiza Kosia (F), both nationals of the Republic of Togo.”

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It further stated that “‎Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were directly linked to the criminal conspiracy.

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“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.”

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According to the statement, “‎The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, commended the professionalism, prompt response, and coordinated efforts of the operatives whose swift action prevented what could have resulted in a serious security breach.”

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‎The Commissioner also reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing and the relentless pursuit of all criminal elements operating within or attempting to infiltrate Kwara State.

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He further assured residents that investigations have been intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network, who will be brought to justice.

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‎The Command urged members of the public to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely, credible, and actionable information to the Police, as public cooperation remains indispensable in sustaining the prevailing peace and security across the state.

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