The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 21-year-old suspect, Soliu Olarewaju Mujeed, in connection with the alleged kidnap and murder of a 60-year-old electrical technician, Olarewaju Olusegun Afolabi, in Ilorin, the state capital.
The State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ilorin following the outcome of an intensive investigation into the victim’s disappearance.
According to the command, the victim left his residence on June 7, 2026, to inspect an electrical installation project but failed to return home, raising concern among family members.
The matter was subsequently reported to the NSCDC Tracking Unit on June 11 after efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful.
Shortly after the victim’s disappearance, his family reportedly began receiving ransom demands of N2 million from his mobile phone.
The family later raised and paid N120,000 based on instructions from the caller.
Mohammed said sustained intelligence-led investigations, including digital tracking and analysis of financial transactions linked to the victim’s account, led to the arrest of the suspect.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and admitted knowing the deceased, whom he had previously worked with as an assistant in electrical installation services.
He further disclosed that a disagreement between them resulted in a personal grievance.
According to the command, the suspect lured the victim to an uncompleted building in the Kangile area of Kunlende, Ilorin, under the guise of inspecting a new electrical project.
The suspect reportedly confessed to attacking and killing the victim before taking possession of his mobile phone and SIM card, which were allegedly used to demand ransom from the victim’s family.
In the course of the investigation, the suspect led operatives to the scene of the crime, where a shallow grave suspected to contain the victim’s remains was discovered.
The victim’s mobile phone and SIM card were also recovered from the suspect.
The command stated that investigations are ongoing, after which the suspect would be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further action.
Mohammed assured residents that the NSCDC remains committed to protecting lives and property and would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and detection.
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