The police headquarters in the nation’s capital has announced the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the rescue of 25 Ivorian citizens in 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 Ivorian citizens including Ladji Yoa Pierre, by Nigeria Police personnel.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the operation began when Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman filed a report at NCB Abidjan on April 23, 2025, claiming that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been tricked into traveling to Nigeria by two people, Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, who promised to help him get his travel documents to Belgium.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of two million, five hundred CFA (about N6,625,000) from Pierre when he was captured in Nigeria.
The commissioner of police, INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni, promptly sent a team of investigators to rescue the victim and capture his kidnappers after receiving the request from NCB Abidjan.
On May 5, 2025, the team successfully invaded the abductors’ hideout in the Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, saving two hostages and apprehending two suspects.
The Force PRO further said at Ejegun Itele, Ado-odo-Ota, a follow-up operation led to the arrest of six more suspects and the rescue of 23 more victims, including the aforementioned Ladji Yoa 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’ Headquarters, Ikeja-Lagos, for further action,” the force PRO stated.
