Oyo Police Arrest Suspect Over Kidnap-For-Ransom Threats Against Saki Resident

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspect linked to alleged threats to kidnap and kill a 50-year-old resident of Seni Salla Village, Saki, and his family. The suspect, Hantsi Abdullahi of Boseperu, Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, was arrested while attempting to withdraw money allegedly demanded from the victim.

The victim, Metu Jilani, reported the matter to police on September 19, 2026, after receiving threatening calls from unknown persons on September 13, in which the callers claimed they had been contracted to kidnap and kill him and his family, threatening to abduct his younger brother if he fled. The suspects allegedly demanded ₦3 million and instructed him to sell two houses and transfer the proceeds to an account belonging to a POS operator, Muhydeen Salihu, in Gwasoro Village, Kwara State.

Jilani transferred ₦100,000 instead of the full amount, providing police an investigative lead. On September 18, Abdullahi and another suspect, Hantsi Liman, went to withdraw the money; Abdullahi was arrested and subsequently attacked by an angry mob before police intervened and took him to hospital, where he remains on admission, while Liman escaped.

Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga directed a thorough investigation and ordered sustained efforts to apprehend all suspects connected to the case, urging residents to report threats and suspicious activity to the police via the Oyo State Call Response Centre (615) or the Police Control Room.