Adejobi,
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with Interpol, have rescued 25 Ivorian nationals who were abducted by a cross-border kidnapping syndicate operating in Ogun State.
The operation, described as swift and coordinated, followed a formal request from the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abidjan.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the rescue effort was launched after a report was filed by one Kaussi Marianman, who alleged that her son had been lured to Nigeria under false pretenses.
“The operation was triggered by a report filed on April 23rd, 2025, by Mrs. Kaussi Amenan Marianman 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, promised to facilitate his travel documents to Belgium,” Adejobi said.
He explained that once Pierre arrived in Nigeria, he was held captive, and his abductors demanded a ransom of 2.5 million CFA francs—equivalent to ₦6.6 million.
“Once in Nigeria, Ladji Yoa Pierre was held captive, with the abductors demanding a ransom of two million five hundred CFA (equivalent to six million six hundred and twenty-five thousand Naira),” Adejobi added.
Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL Annex Lagos, Bode Ojajuni, promptly dispatched a team of experienced investigators to locate the suspects and rescue the hostages.
“Upon receiving the request from NCB Abidjan, the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, Annex, Lagos, CP Bode Ojajuni psc, immediately deployed a team of trained investigators to rescue the victim and apprehend his abductors,” Adejobi stated.
The operation began on May 5, 2025, when police operatives stormed Osehi Hotel in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, where they rescued two victims and arrested two suspects.
A follow-up raid in the Ejegun Itele area led to the rescue of 23 additional victims, including Pierre, and the arrest of six more suspects.
“On May 5th, 2025, the team successfully stormed the hideout of the abductors rescuing 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 six more suspects,” he noted.
Following the successful operation, Pierre was reunited with his mother, who had travelled from Côte d’Ivoire.
The remaining 24 rescued victims were handed over to the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration at the Zone A Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, for further procedures.
“The eight apprehended suspects are in Police custody undergoing investigation for possible prosecution,” Adejobi confirmed.
He also revealed that the Head of NCB Abidjan had, in a letter dated May 6, 2025, commended the Nigeria Police Force and its Interpol Unit for their excellent work and expressed hope for deeper cooperation in tackling trans-border crimes.
