Kwara Police recover N11m ransom, arrest kidnap, arms suspects

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

The Kwara State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping, illegal firearms possession, and drug trafficking. Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this during a press briefing at the State Command Headquarters in Ilorin on Friday.

Ojo revealed that two suspects, Suleiman Jamiu and Mumini Mohammed, were arrested with over N11 million in cash during a stop-and-search operation in the Share axis. The money is believed to be ransom collected from past kidnapping operations. Jamiu was previously linked to a kidnapping case from February but had evaded arrest.

In a separate incident, police rescued a kidnapped victim, Dauda, after a gun battle in a forest near Okuta. One of the kidnappers, Idirisu Sariki, was apprehended and confessed to being part of a gang that has terrorised Baruten LGA. An AK-47 rifle and a red Golf car suspected to be used for operations were recovered.

Three women — Aisha Haruna, Rabi Umaru, and Fatimoh Abubakar — were also arrested at Babanla Motor Park in possession of an AK-47 rifle and 31 rounds of live ammunition. The weapons were allegedly en route to a known kidnapper, Saleh, in the Baba-Sango forest. One suspect was reportedly rejoining her husband, a member of the gang.

Another group, including Mohammed Olaiya Dende, Mohammed Dende, and Somo Gida, was arrested in connection with coordinated kidnapping attacks in the Oro community. One such attack led to the killing of a victim, Olugbo Jamiu, at a local cashew factory.

In the Gbugbu area of Lafiagi, six suspects linked to a notorious kidnapper, Tambaya, were arrested with help from vigilantes. Though Tambaya remains at large, police recovered firearms from their hideouts. The group had been active in border-town abductions.

In addition, police arrested Buba Lawal in Oko Community after local vigilantes raised an alarm. He was found with an AK-47 magazine loaded with eight live rounds and was believed to be on his way to join a kidnapping gang.

Commissioner Ojo assured the public of continued efforts to eliminate violent crime in the state. “Let these arrests send a strong message to criminal elements: Kwara State will never be a safe haven for your activities,” he warned, adding that investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.