Police Arrest 8 Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue 25 Ivoirians

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested eight suspected kidnappers and rescued nationals of Côte d’Ivoire in a sting operations across the country.

This followed an official request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abidjan, which led to the rescue of the 25 Ivoirians, including Ladji Yoa Pierre, by the personnel of the Nigeria Police.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the operation began when an Ivoirian, Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman filed a report at NCB Abidjan on April 23, 2025, claiming that her son, Pierre had been tricked into traveling to Nigeria.

The mother identified those that tricked Pierre as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, who promised to help him get his travel documents to Belgium.

Marianman said the kidnappers demanded a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (which is about N6,625,000) from Pierre when he was captured in Nigeria.

ACP Adejobi said the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni promptly sent a team of skilled investigators to rescue the victim and arrest his kidnappers following the request.

On May 5, 2025, the team successfully invaded the abductors’ hideout at Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State where they rescued two hostages and apprehended two suspects.

The Force PRO further said a follow-up operation at Ejegun Itele, Ado-Odo-Ota led to the arrest of six more suspects and the rescue of 23 additional victims, including Pierre.

“After the successful operation, Pierre has been handed over to his biological mother, Mrs. Kaussi Amena, who traveled from Abidjan.

“Eight suspects have been arrested and are being investigated for potential prosecution, while the remaining 24 rescued victims have been turned over to the Assistant Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Services, Zone ‘A’ Headq