The Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled a transnational kidnapping syndicate, rescuing 25 Ivorian nationals and arresting eight suspects in a coordinated operation spanning Ogun State.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said acting on a formal request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abidjan, the operation was launched following a complaint filed on April 23, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman, who reported that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses. He was allegedly promised assistance with travel documents to Belgium by suspects later identified as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga. Upon arrival in Nigeria, Pierre was held captive, and his abductors demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs (approximately ₦6.6 million).
In response, the Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL Annex Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, swiftly deployed a specialized investigative team. On May 5, 2025, operatives raided Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, rescuing two victims and arresting two suspects. A follow-up operation at Ejegun Itele, also in Ado-Odo Ota, led to the rescue of 23 additional victims—including Pierre—and the arrest of six more suspects.
Following the rescue, Ladji Yoa Pierre was reunited with his mother, who traveled from Abidjan to Nigeria. The remaining 24 victims were handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, Zone ‘A’ Headquarters, Ikeja-Lagos, for further processing, while the eight suspects remain in police custody under investigation pending prosecution.
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, NCB Abidjan expressed profound gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and its INTERPOL Unit, applauding their swift and effective intervention. The letter also reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening cooperation between both agencies in combating transborder crimes.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication. He reiterated the NPF’s resolve to make Nigeria inhospitable to criminals preying on vulnerable individuals, irrespective of nationality, and emphasized the Force’s ongoing collaboration with international partners to ensure justice is served.
