From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested a 21-year-old suspect, Soliu Olarewaju Mujeeb, for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of an electrical technician, Mr. Olarewaju Olusegun Afolabi, in Ilorin.
The arrest followed an investigation into the disappearance of Afolabi, who reportedly left his residence on June 7, 2026, to inspect an electrical wiring project but failed to return home.
Speaking during a media briefing at the NSCDC Command Headquarters in Ilorin on Sunday, the State Commandant, Abbas Mohammed, said the case was reported to the Command’s Tracking Unit on June 11 after family members became worried about the victim’s whereabouts.
Mohammed disclosed that shortly after Afolabi went missing, his family began receiving calls demanding a ransom of ₦2 million through the victim’s mobile phone.
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“Investigations revealed that after the victim disappeared, members of his family started receiving calls demanding the sum of ₦2 million as ransom through his phone line,” the Commandant said.
He added that the family could only raise ₦120,000, which was paid based on instructions allegedly given by the suspect.
The Commandant explained that operatives launched a detailed investigation, including the analysis of financial transactions linked to the victim’s Opay account, which eventually led to the arrest of Mujeeb.
According to him, the suspect confessed during interrogation and admitted that he previously worked with the deceased as a joinman in electrical installation jobs.
“Preliminary findings showed that the suspect harboured grievances against the victim due to unresolved disagreements. He confessed to luring him to an uncompleted building in the Kongile, Kunlende area of Ilorin under the guise of inspecting a new electrical project,” Mohammed stated.
The NSCDC boss further revealed that the suspect allegedly attacked and killed Afolabi at the location before taking possession of his mobile phone and SIM card.
“He subsequently used the victim’s phone to demand ransom from family members,” he added.
Mohammed said the suspect later led investigators to the crime scene, where a shallow grave believed to contain the victim’s remains was discovered.
He also confirmed that the victim’s mobile phone and SIM card were recovered from the suspect during the investigation.
The Commandant noted that the case would be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution after the completion of preliminary procedures.
He reassured residents of the state of the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that the Command would continue working closely with other security agencies to tackle criminal activities.
Mohammed also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information capable of preventing and solving crimes.
