The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom linked to the abduction of three residents of Obudu Village in Ilorin East Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was arrested at a Point of Sale (POS) outlet following an intelligence-led investigation into the July 28 attack on the community.
According to the police, armed men invaded the village and abducted three residents. Investigators subsequently traced not only the suspects involved in the attack but also the channels allegedly used by the group to communicate, move funds and collect ransom.
Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the investigation led operatives to Sanni, who was allegedly intercepted while trying to withdraw money connected to the abduction.
She said the arrest had provided investigators with additional information about the suspected criminal network.
“During interrogation, Sanni allegedly provided investigators with information about other members of the group,” Ejire-Adeyemi said, identifying two of the suspects as Aminu and Umar.
The police said the investigation was ongoing, adding that further action would be taken after the information obtained from Sanni is analysed and independently verified.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, said the command would continue to target criminal networks and the structures that support their operations.
He urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent and disrupt criminal activities across the state.
The command also assured residents that efforts to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in Kwara would continue.
