Police arrest suspect over alleged kidnap threat against Oyo resident
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a man allegedly linked to a threat to kidnap and kill a 50-year-old resident of Seni Salla Village, Saki, and members of his family.
The command said the arrest followed a report by the victim and an intelligence-led operation.
According to the statement, the complainant, Metu Jilani, reported the matter on September 19 after receiving threatening calls from unknown persons on September 13. The callers allegedly claimed they had been contracted to kidnap and kill him and his family.
The suspects reportedly demanded ₦3 million and directed Jilani to transfer the money to an account belonging to a Point-of-Sale operator, Muhydeen Salihu, of Gwasoro Village, via Kosubosu in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. Jilani instead transferred ₦100,000.
The police said the transaction provided an investigative lead, prompting operatives to monitor the account. On September 18, two men, identified as Hantsi Abdullahi and Hantsi Liman, reportedly went to the POS operator to collect the money.
Abdullahi was arrested while attempting to access the funds, while Liman escaped. The command said an angry mob attacked Abdullahi before police officers intervened and took him to a hospital for treatment.
The suspect remains in the hospital, while police operatives are working to arrest his fleeing accomplice and identify other persons who may have been involved in the alleged threat.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered a thorough investigation and directed sustained efforts to apprehend all persons linked to the case. He also urged residents to report threats, suspicious movements and other useful information to the police.
