From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command, has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds linked to the abduction of three persons in Obudu Village, Ilorin East Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was intercepted at a Point-of-Sale (POS) outlet following an intelligence-led operation targeting the financial and logistical network allegedly supporting kidnappers operating around the Obudu/Woru axis.
The police said the operation followed the abduction of three persons during an armed invasion of Obudu Village on July 28, 2026.
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Rather than concentrating solely on the scene of the attack, investigators expanded their probe to the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly sustaining the kidnapping operation.
According to the Command, the strategy paid off when operatives traced intelligence surrounding the ransom transaction to Sanni, who was allegedly caught while trying to cash out the proceeds.
The suspect, during interrogation, was said to have cooperated with investigators and provided useful information about his alleged role in the ransom collection process.
Police said Sanni also identified two other suspected members of the syndicate as Aminu and Umar, adding that the information had provided investigators with fresh operational leads.
The Command said the investigation and intelligence-gathering efforts were ongoing, with security operatives working to identify and dismantle other components of the alleged kidnapping network.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, reassured residents that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-led strategies to disrupt criminal networks and deny them the freedom to operate.
He urged residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and investigating criminal activities.
The Command said the operation was in line with the proactive policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Command remained committed to protecting residents and strengthening its fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the state.
