Police parade eight suspected kidnappers, two others in Ilorin
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
Kwara State Police command on Monday paraded eight suspected kidnappers with three local guns and cartridges.
The state Police Commissioner, Paul Odama, addressing newsmen on Monday in Ilorin, said the suspects have confessed to be responsible for the series of kidnapping cases in Malete and Shao area of the state.
He said two other suspected kidnappers, Yau Alhaji Auta and Idris Alhaji Auta were arrested and suspects confessed to be responsible for the kidnap of Oluwalose community, Oko-Olowo, Alhaji Tunde Buhari and Muhammed Mecho.
He said they made the confession when brought together, while one of the victims identified one of the suspects as one of his abductors.
The police boss said the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigation.
“On the 22/1/2023 at about 0900hrs an intelligence available to the Divisional Police Officer, Bode Sadu to the effect that suspected kidnappers were in the bush along Balogun area, Bode Sadu in preparation to strike. The DPO mobilized vigilantees, hunters and police men, stormed the bush and they engaged the kidnappers. During exchange of gun-fire, three of the kidnappers were neutralized while two suspects Lagi Bala and Iliasu Idris were arrested with 3 locally made guns.
“The arrested suspects confessed to be kidnappers and cattle rustlers. They also confessed to be responsible for the series of kidnapping cases in Malete and Shao area of Kwara State. The names of the neutralized members of the gang are
Bala Idris, Hassan Idris and Baso Idris
“Investigation is ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the kidnapping gang, while the two arrested suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
“Similarly, on 21/1/2023 at about 1400hrs, the Divisional Police Officer of Eiyenkorin Division, with vigilante and local hunters in carrying out the directive of the commissioner of police regarding a zero tolerance for kidnapping, they stormed the Eyenkorin thick forest to search the hide-outs of kidnappers. In the shooting encounter with the suspected kidnappers sighted in the bush, some suspects escaped with bullets injuries, while some were arrested.
“At about 1600hrs of 21/01/2023, an information was received that one suspected Fulani man was seen with bullet wounds inside the bush within Eyenkorin, policemen traced and arrested the suspect.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a member of a kidnapping syndicate that specializes in kidnapping people around Eyenkorin Oko-Olowo axis.
“He mentioned one Alhaji Auta, now at large as the leader of the gang. Other suspects arrested includes Buga Ali, Suleiman Issah, Aminu Bello, Seleiman Biliyah and Yahaya Adam. Tthey will all be charged to court as soon as investigation is over.
“In another successful operation based on an actionable intelligence that some suspected kidnappers who were believed to be responsible for kidnapping around the axis were sighted, the police quickly mobilized vigilante and local hunters and headed to the area.
“Two of the kidnappers; Yau Alhaji anta and Idris Alhaji Auta were arrested. The suspects confessed to be responsible for the kidnap of the two kidnapped victims in Oluwalose community, Oko-Olowo, one Alhaji Tunde Buhari and one Muhammed Mecho. When brought together, the victim identified one of the suspects as one of his abductors.
The suspects would soon be charged to court after investigation,” the police commissioner said.
He added that one Yusuf Arowolo, who stole a motorcycle belonging to one Babatunde Waheed which he parked at Kulende market in Ilorin was also arrested.
Also one Issah Shuaib was paraded for stealing another motorcycle belonging to one Emmanuel Joshua after breaking into the owner’s apartment through the toilet window.
