The Ekiti State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping operation in Ayede Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, with two suspects arrested during an intelligence-led operation.

The command said the suspects were apprehended while allegedly attempting to sell stolen cows, with the proceeds reportedly intended to finance a planned abduction in the community.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Sunday Abutu, disclosed in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that the arrests followed credible intelligence received by security operatives.

“The Ekiti State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping operation and arrested two suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers following a credible intelligence-led operation,” Abutu said.

According to the police, officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit, working with personnel from the Ayede Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters and local vigilantes, arrested Mumini Muhammed, 23, and Kehinde Oseni, 22, on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

The suspects were reportedly intercepted around 1pm in a forest area along the Are-Afao Road and Ayede Ekiti axis while attempting to sell two stolen cows valued at N1.5 million.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the funds from the cattle sale were allegedly meant to support a planned kidnapping operation targeting a resident of Ayede Ekiti.

“During the investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the crime and made other useful confessional statements,” Abutu stated.

The command said efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspected members of the group and recover firearms and other weapons allegedly in their possession.

The owner of the stolen cows has been identified and has taken possession of the recovered animals, according to the police.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening intelligence-based operations against kidnapping, cattle theft and other violent crimes across the state.

He urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and reliable information that could assist in preventing criminal activities.

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The arrests come amid continued efforts by security agencies across Nigeria to disrupt kidnapping networks through intelligence gathering, community partnerships and targeted operations.