The Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has rescued a 38-year-old Ivorian national, Kacou Alleby, in Ogun State following a distress request from INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, on behalf of authorities in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
According Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Alleby was initially reported kidnapped and held hostage on September 12, 2025. Acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, the IRT traced the suspects to Matogun, Ogun State, where 28-year-old Angela Arisa, also an Ivorian, was arrested. She later led operatives to a hideout in Olambe, where Alleby was found unharmed.
Investigations, however, revealed that Alleby and Arisa had staged the abduction in a bid to extort ransom from Alleby’s family in Côte d’Ivoire. The duo allegedly recorded torture videos and voice notes to pressure the family into payment.
Police authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to track down other accomplices involved in producing the fake ransom materials.
The IGP condemned the act, stressing that self-kidnap is a criminal offence under Nigerian law. He warned that such schemes not only threaten security but also damage Nigeria’s international image, assuring that perpetrators will face the full weight of the law.
