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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Apprentice kidnaps, kills 60-year-old electrician in Kwara

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested a 21-year-old suspect for allegedly kidnapping and murdering a 60-year-old electrician.
  • The suspect, Soliu Mujeeb, confessed to luring the victim to an uncompleted building, killing him, and demanding ransom from his family.
  • The NSCDC recovered the victim's phone and SIM card and discovered a shallow grave believed to contain his remains.

Authorities in Kwara State, Nigeria, have arrested a 21-year-old suspect in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 60-year-old electrician. The suspect, Soliu Mujeeb, is accused of killing Mr. Olarewaju Afolabi, who disappeared after leaving his residence on June 7 to inspect an electrical installation project.

The matter was subsequently reported to the NSCDC Tracking Unit on June 11, 2026, after efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful.

— Commandant Abbas MohammedDetailing the timeline of the victim's disappearance and the family's report to the authorities.

According to the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abbas Mohammed, the victim's family began receiving ransom demands of ₦2 million shortly after his disappearance. The family managed to pay ₦120,000 before the NSCDC intervened.

The suspect confessed to the crime and admitted knowing the deceased, with whom he had previously worked with as an assistant in electrical installation services.

— Commandant Abbas MohammedReporting the suspect's confession and his prior relationship with the victim.

Following an intensive investigation, including digital tracking and financial analysis, operatives apprehended Mujeeb. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having previously worked with the victim as an assistant. He admitted to luring Afolabi to an uncompleted building in Ilorin under the pretense of inspecting a new project. Mujeeb reportedly attacked and killed the electrician, then took his mobile phone and SIM card to contact the family for ransom.

He further disclosed that a disagreement between them led to a personal grievance.

— Commandant Abbas MohammedExplaining the alleged motive behind the crime.

Investigators, led by the suspect, discovered a shallow grave at the crime scene, believed to contain the victim's remains. The victim's mobile phone and SIM card were recovered from the suspect. The NSCDC stated that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect will be transferred to the appropriate security agency. Commandant Mohammed urged the public to remain vigilant and provide information to security agencies.

The suspect reportedly lured the victim to an uncompleted building located in the Kangile, Kulende area of Ilorin under the guise of inspecting a new electrical project.

— Commandant Abbas MohammedDescribing how the victim was lured to the crime scene.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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