Kwara police arrest three suspected kidnappers, uncover nine-man syndicate

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Kwara State police Command has arrested three suspected members of a nine-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly linked to multiple abductions in the state.

The breakthrough followed an intelligence-driven joint operation involving police personnel and Forest Guards, which led to the arrest of a suspect, Aliyu Isiaka, in Okolowo, Ilorin, on October 24, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Tuesday, Isiaka, a resident of Ga’a-Kpapa village in Moro Local Government Area, was intercepted at about 6 p.m. while allegedly wearing female clothing and a hijab. He was also carrying a polythene bag containing assorted charms.

During interrogation, Isiaka reportedly confessed to being a member of a nine-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly led by a suspect identified as Juli ‘m’, who is said to be at large. He told investigators that he joined the group in August 2026 and participated in three kidnapping operations in Oloru, Alapa and Malete, where the gang allegedly collected substantial ransom payments.

Following further investigations, police personnel and Forest Guards carried out a targeted operation at the suspected kidnappers’ camp on October 25. The operation led to the arrest of two additional suspects identified only as Seriki and Jebrin, bringing the total number of arrests to three.

The police said the suspects were undergoing further investigation and would be arraigned in court after the investigation was concluded.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, described the operation as a significant step towards dismantling kidnapping networks and improving security in vulnerable communities across the state.

He assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations, strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and intensify efforts to apprehend criminal suspects. He said the measures were in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to tackle criminal activities and protect lives and property.