Oyo Police Detain Suspect Over Alleged Kidnap, Murder Threats to Saki Resident and Family

The Oyo State Police Command has detained a suspect over allegations that a 50-year-old man in Seni Salla Village, Saki, and his relatives were threatened with kidnapping and murder. DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, spokesperson for the command, said in a Monday, September 21, 2026 statement that the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation. The move came after the victim reported receiving threatening phone calls from people he did not know. Police said the matter was reported on September 19, 2026, at about 1820hrs. The complainant, Metu Jilani, told officers he had received the threatening calls on September 13, 2026. According to Ayanlade, the callers said they had been hired to kidnap and kill Metu Jilani and members of his family. They warned him that trying to escape would lead to his younger brother being abducted. The spokesperson said the callers then demanded money. They told the complainant to sell his two houses and send them the proceeds or be kidnapped. They gave him an account belonging to a Point-of-Sale operator, Muhydeen Salihu of Gwasoro Village, via Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and instructed him to pay N3 million into it. The complainant instead transferred N100,000 into the account, not the full amount requested. That transaction gave investigators a lead, drawing attention to anyone who would try to access the funds and any link to the threats. Ayanlade said that on September 18, 2026, at about 1000hrs, two men went to the POS operator to withdraw the money. They were identified as Hantsi Abdullahi of Boseperu, Kosubosu, Baruten LGA, Kwara State, and Hantsi Liman of the same address. Abdullahi was apprehended as he tried to collect the funds, while Liman fled. After the arrest, the suspect was attacked by an angry mob before police officers intervened and took him to a hospital for medical attention. He is currently receiving treatment as an inpatient, the spokesperson said. Police said efforts are continuing to arrest the fleeing accomplice and to establish the full circumstances of the threat, including the identities and roles of other people who may be connected to the case. Commissioner of Police for Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has ordered a detailed investigation and sustained operations to apprehend everyone linked to the offence. The command also called on the public to report threats, suspicious movements and other useful information without delay, noting that timely reporting is essential for effective intervention and crime prevention.