Police arrest two in Ekiti over foiled kidnap plot funded by stolen cows
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Official statement
Under investigation
- Ekiti State Police Command foiled a kidnapping plot and arrested two suspects involved in cattle rustling.
- The suspects were intercepted while attempting to sell stolen cows, with proceeds intended to finance a planned kidnapping.
- Police are seeking other gang members and recovering weapons, with the arrested suspects confessing to the crimes.
The Ekiti State Police Command has successfully thwarted a planned kidnapping operation in Ayede Ekiti, arresting two suspects allegedly involved in cattle rustling to finance the crime.
The Ekiti State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping operation and arrested two suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers following a credible intelligence-led operation.
The suspects, identified as Mumini Muhammed, 23, and Kehinde Oseni, 22, were apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with local police and vigilantes. The arrest occurred in a forest along the Are–Afao Road/Ayede Ekiti axis on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, at about 1 p.m., operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with officers of the Ayede Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters and local vigilantes, arrested two persons, Mumini Muhammed, 23, and Kehinde Oseni, 22, in a forest along the Are–Afao Road/Ayede Ekiti axis.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the duo was preparing to kidnap a resident of Ayede Ekiti. They were intercepted while attempting to sell two stolen cows for ₦1.5 million, which they intended to use for the planned abduction. Both suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were planning to kidnap a resident of Ayede Ekiti before their arrest. They were intercepted while attempting to sell two stolen cows for ₦1.5 million, with the proceeds allegedly intended to finance the planned kidnapping.
Authorities are currently working to apprehend other members of the gang and recover any firearms or weapons in their possession. The owner of the stolen cows has been identified and has taken possession of the animals. The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, reaffirmed the command's commitment to intelligence-led operations against violent crimes and urged residents to continue providing credible information.
During the investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the crime and made other useful confessional statements.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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