By Emem Nsini-Godwin
The Ekiti State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping operation in Ayede Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state, with the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
According to Abutu, the suspects were arrested during an intelligence-led operation after they were intercepted while attempting to sell two stolen cows, with the proceeds allegedly meant to finance the planned abduction.
“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 statement read.
He identified the suspects as Mumini Muhammed, 23, and Kehinde Oseni, 22.
Abutu said the suspects were arrested at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with officers from the Ayede Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters and local vigilantes in a forest along the Are–Afao Road/Ayede Ekiti axis.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had concluded plans to kidnap a resident of Ayede Ekiti before they were apprehended.
“They were intercepted while attempting to sell two stolen cows for ₦1.5 million, with the proceeds allegedly intended to finance the planned kidnapping,” he said.
Abutu added that the suspects confessed during interrogation and provided investigators with useful information to aid ongoing investigations.
He said efforts were underway to arrest other members of the gang and recover firearms and other weapons allegedly in their possession.
“The suspects will be charged to court immediately after the conclusion of the investigation,” he added.
The police spokesperson also confirmed that the stolen cattle had been recovered and returned to their rightful owner.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue supporting the police by providing timely, credible and actionable information to assist security agencies in tackling crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
