Police nab suspect over ₦3m kidnap threat in Oyo

The Oyo State Police have arrested a suspect linked to a kidnap and kill threat against a 50-year-old man and his family in Seni Salla Village, Saki.

The police said this arrest came after they received a report and acted on intelligence.

This information was shared in a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Monday.

According to the statement, the police received the report on September 19, 2026, around 6:20pm. The complainant, Metu Jilani, said he got threatening phone calls from unknown people on September 13.

"The callers claimed they were hired to kidnap and kill him and his family. They warned him that if he tried to escape, they would abduct his younger brother," the statement revealed.

The police noted that after understanding the threat, the callers made a financial demand.

"They provided him with an account belonging to a Point-of-Sale operator, one Muhydeen Salihu from Gwasoro Village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and asked him to pay ₦3 million into the account," the statement added.

The Command stated that the complainant transferred ₦100,000 into the specified account instead of the full amount.

"This transaction gave the police a lead. They focused on the people who tried to access the money and their connection to the threats," it said.

The police said that on September 18, at about 10am, two men named Hantsi Abdullahi and Hantsi Liman went to the POS operator to withdraw the money.

"While trying to collect the funds, Abdullahi was caught, but Liman escaped," the statement explained.

After the arrest, Abdullahi was attacked by a mob, but police quickly intervened.

"The police took him to the hospital for medical care after the mob attack," the statement continued.

"He is currently receiving treatment, and efforts are ongoing to catch his accomplice and investigate the full details of the threat, including others who may be involved," it added.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has ordered a thorough investigation and efforts to catch everyone linked to the crime.

The police also urged the public to report any threats or suspicious activities to them.

"Quick reports are key to helping us act fast and stop crime," the statement concluded.