By ABUJA — In a major breakthrough against transnational crime, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have rescued twenty-five Ivorian nationals from a kidnapping syndicate and arrested eight suspects in a series of coordinated operations across Ogun State.
The daring operation followed a distress request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abidjan concerning the abduction of one Ladji Yoa Pierre.
According to a formal report lodged on 23 April 2025 by Mrs Kaussi Amenan Marianman, Pierre had been lured to Nigeria under the pretext of securing travel documents to Belgium. Instead, he was held hostage with a ransom demand of CFA 2.5 million (approximately ₦6.6 million).
Responding swiftly, the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, CP Bode Ojajuni, deployed a specialised investigative team.
On 5 May, the operatives stormed Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, where they rescued two victims and arrested two suspects.
A subsequent raid at Ejegun Itele in the same local government area led to the rescue of twenty-three additional victims, including Pierre, and the arrest of six more suspects.
The rescued individuals were swiftly provided support, and Pierre was formally reunited with his mother, who had travelled from Abidjan.
The remaining victims have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further processing, while the suspects remain in police custody pending investigation and prosecution.
In a letter dated 6 May, NCB Abidjan expressed deep gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force and its INTERPOL Unit for the swift and professional response.
The bureau also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration to combat international crime.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, lauded the team’s professionalism and vowed to sustain efforts to make Nigeria a hostile environment for criminals.
“We are committed to protecting all, regardless of nationality, and to ensuring justice through international cooperation,” he affirmed.
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