Police authorities in Oyo State have taken three teenage girls into custody following allegations that they issued a serious kidnapping threat against a local meat seller. The incident, which has sent ripples through the Ikoyi-Ile community in Oriire Local Government Area, underscores ongoing security concerns in the region.
Details of the Alleged Threat and Swift Arrest
The case unfolded when 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. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Olayinka Ayanlade, a small Itel mobile phone believed to have been used in making the threatening calls was recovered from them, providing crucial evidence.
Confession and Police Investigation
During interrogation, the three teenagers reportedly confessed to the act. However, they claimed their motive was not genuine criminal intent but rather that the threats were intended as a prank. Despite this claim, the police are treating the matter with utmost seriousness due to the fear and alarm it caused.
PPRO Ayanlade stated that the suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police aim to determine the appropriate legal actions to be taken against them.
Police Warning and Broader Security Context
In his statement, PPRO Ayanlade issued a stern warning to youths, advising them against engaging in any behaviour capable of inciting fear or threatening the lives and peace of citizens. He emphasized that such acts carry serious legal consequences.
The police also reassured residents of Oyo State of their unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. The public was urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station promptly.
This arrest comes against a tense security backdrop in Oriire Local Government. The police statement recalled a separate, tragic incident from days prior, where four personnel of the National Park Service were killed and another critically injured during a gunmen attack on the service’s office in Oloka. That assault, which occurred around 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night, remains under investigation with assailants still unidentified. Tactical teams and other security units have been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
