Kwara NSCDC Nabs Alleged Serial Phone Extortion Suspect in N500,000 Threat Scheme

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested a 32-year-old man, Adetokunbo Adeshina, over allegations of masterminding a string of phone-based threats and extortion targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC I Ayoola Michael Shola, who disclosed that the suspect was apprehended following a series of complaints from victims who alleged they received threatening telephone calls demanding money under the threat of violence.

According to the NSCDC, the latest reported case involved a victim whose identity was withheld for security reasons. Investigators said the suspect allegedly demanded ₦500,000, threatening to attack the victim, members of his family, and his business if the payment was not made.

Acting on the complaints, NSCDC operatives launched an intelligence-driven investigation that led to the suspect’s arrest in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Preliminary findings, according to the Command, indicate that the suspect allegedly sourced victims’ telephone numbers through Facebook before repeatedly contacting them with intimidating messages designed to instill fear and coerce them into paying money.

During a search conducted after the arrest, operatives reportedly recovered eight registered SIM cards from different telecommunications networks. Authorities believe the SIM cards may have been used in carrying out the alleged extortion activities and are being subjected to further forensic examination.

The NSCDC said the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue to determine whether additional victims or accomplices are connected to the alleged operation.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents from criminal activities, urging members of the public to promptly report cases of threats, intimidation, or attempted extortion to security agencies. It added that the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.