The Nigeria Police Force has brought to an end the activities of a transnational kidnapping syndicate with the rescue of 25 Ivorian nationals, and the arrest of 8 suspects.
Disclosing this on Friday, the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that the arrest, which followed a meticulously executed operation, was the latest in a streak of successes in its efforts against crimes across nations.
TheFact Daily had on Wednesday, reported of the arrest by the Force of two internationally wanted fugitives, Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.
According to Adejobi, one Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman had, on April 23,2025 filed a report 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, and who had promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium.
On arriving Nigeria, however, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive by the abductors who demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA, equivalent to N6,625,000.
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 rescued 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 23 additional victims, including the said Ladji Yoa Pierre, and the arrest of 6 more suspects.
Following the successful operation, Ladji Yoa Pierre was handed over to his biological mother, Mrs. Kaussi Amena, who came all the way from Abidjan. The remaining 24 rescued victims have been handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Services, Zone ‘A’ Headquarters, Ikeja-Lagos, for further action, while the 8 apprehended suspects are in police custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution.
Adejobi further disclosed that the head NCB Abidjan, responding response to successful operation in its letter dated May 6, 2025, expressed deep appreciation and compliment to the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol Unit for the brilliant operation leading to the rescue of the victims and hope to strengthen collaboration between both agencies towards tackling trans border crimes.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, while commending the operatives for their remarkable display of professionalism and expertise, reemphasized that the NPF will make sure Nigeria is inhabitable for criminal elements who prey on vulnerable individuals, regardless of their nationality.
“The Force is committed to working with our international partners to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice”, Adejobi said.
