Nigeria Police burst transnational kidnapping ring, rescue 25 Ivorian nationals, arrest 8 suspects
A team of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rescued 25 Ivorian nationals in a case of transnational kidnapping crime.
Spokesman of the Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the operation was necessitated by a woman’s report on 23 April 2025, alleging the trafficking of her son from Ivory Coast to Nigeria.
“In a meticulously executed operation, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued twenty-five (25) Ivorian nationals, including one Ladji Yoa Pierre, who was the subject of a formal request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abidjan.
“The operation was triggered by a report filed on April 23rd, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman at NCB Abidjan alleging that her son, Ladji Yoa Pierre, had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses by some individuals who were later identified as Simon Oliver and Michael Odunga, promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium,” the statement reads in part.
Highlighting the successful operation as the third in a single week, the NPF said this underscored its relentless pursuit of justice and dedication to international collaboration.
According to the Police, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive as soon as he got to Nigeria, and the abductors started demanding a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (equivalent to six million six hundred and twenty-five thousand Naira).
Upon receiving the request from NCB Abidjan, the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni , immediately deployed a team of trained investigators to rescue the victim and apprehend his abductors.
“On May 5th, 2025, the team successfully stormed the hideout of the abductors rescuing two victims and apprehended two suspects at Osehi Hotel, located at Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State. Subsequent operation conducted at Ejegun Itele, Ado-odo-Ota resulted in the rescue of twenty-three (23) additional victims, including the said Ladji Yoa Pierre, and the arrest of six (6) more suspects,” the Police said.
The Police also disclosed that Ladji Yoa Pierre has been handed over to his biological mother, Mrs. Kaussi Amena, who came all the way from Abidjan, while the remaining 24 rescued victims were handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Services; Zone ‘A’ Headquarters, Ikeja-Lagos, for further action.
The Police said that the eight apprehended suspects are in their custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution.
Head of the NCB Abidjan has written a letter of appreciation to the NPF and the Interpol Unit for successfully rescuing the victims, expressing hope to further collaboration between both agencies against trans-border crimes.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the Police operatives for their remarkable display of professionalism and expertise, and pledged commitment to working with international partners against all forms of criminality.
