Osun police arrest suspect over alleged N13m kidnap threat

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Babangida Muhammed over an alleged attempted kidnapping and demand for ₦13 million ransom in the state.

The command said Muhammed was arrested on September 4, 2026, following a swift operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Team H.

According to a statement on Thursday by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the arrest followed a complaint by a man who allegedly received threatening telephone calls from someone identifying himself as Muhammed.

According to the statement, “The complainant reportedly told the police that the caller threatened to kidnap him and members of his family unless he paid ₦13 million.

“Following the complaint, the VCRU Team H commenced intelligence gathering and planned an operation to apprehend the suspect, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura.”

The police said a meeting point was subsequently agreed in the Telemu area along the Iwo-Ibadan Road in Osun State, where the suspect allegedly directed the complainant to bring the demanded money.

“On September 4, at about 2pm, the complainant reportedly went to the agreed location with the money as part of the police operation,” the statement said.

The command said the suspect subsequently arrived at the location, picked up the box containing the money and allegedly attempted to escape into the bush.

“Police operatives immediately emerged from their covert positions and arrested him before he could escape,” the statement said.

The police said Muhammed will remain in custody while the investigation continues to establish whether other people were involved in the alleged offence.

The command added that the suspect would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.

CP Zungura commended the operatives for what the command described as their professionalism, courage and intelligence-led approach, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or threats to the nearest police station.