Police authorities in Oyo State have made a startling arrest, detaining three teenage girls on allegations of issuing a serious kidnapping threat to a local meat seller in the Ikoyi-Ile community.
Threats Demanding Human Parts and Ransom
The incident unfolded after a resident, Islamiat Omowumi, lodged a formal complaint with the police. She reported receiving a menacing phone call where the caller not only demanded a ransom of ₦10 million but also shockingly requested human parts. The caller allegedly stated that Omowumi was targeted specifically because of her trade as a meat seller.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, detectives from the Oyo State Command traced and apprehended the suspects. The arrested individuals are Fathia Nurudeen, 17; Taiwo Fatai, 17; and Munirat Saliu, 16.
Suspects Claim Prank, Police Recover Evidence
During interrogation, the teenagers reportedly confessed to making the threatening calls. However, they claimed their actions were intended as a mere prank and not a genuine kidnapping plot. The police investigation was corroborated by the recovery of a small Itel mobile phone believed to have been used to place the calls.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the arrests. He stated that the command's action demonstrates its dedication to proactive, intelligence-led, and preventive policing. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances and appropriate legal steps.
Police Warning and Reassurance to the Public
PPRO Ayanlade issued a stern warning to youths against engaging in acts capable of inciting fear or threatening the lives of citizens, emphasizing that such behavior carries serious legal consequences. He reassured residents of the police's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state.
The police also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station promptly. This arrest comes against a backdrop of recent security challenges in the Oriire Local Government Area.
Recall that just days prior, on Tuesday night, gunmen attacked the office of the National Park Service in Oloka, within the same local government. The assault, which occurred around 9 p.m., resulted in the tragic death of four personnel and left one other critically injured. The assailants in that incident remain unidentified.
Confirming the earlier attack, PPRO Olayinka noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, had visited the scene. Tactical teams, mobile police officers, and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit were deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order and restore calm.
