From Taiye Joseph, 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, with one of the suspects confessing to participating in three kidnapping operations within two months.
The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation jointly conducted by the police and Forest Guards, following the interception of one of the alleged gang members at Okolowo, Ilorin.
The police identified the first suspect as Aliyu Isiaka, a resident of Ga’a-Kpapa Village in Moro Local Government Area, who was arrested on October 24, 2026, at about 6pm.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, Isiaka was intercepted by Forest Guards led by Jebrin Adam, while allegedly disguising himself in female attire, wearing a hijab and carrying a polythene bag containing assorted charms.
Related News
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a nine-man kidnapping gang allegedly led by a man identified as Juli, who resides in Fulani Camp, Ga’a-Kpapa, and is currently at large.
The statement said Isiaka disclosed that he was recruited into the gang in August 2026 and had participated in kidnapping operations in Oloru, Alapa and Malete, where substantial ransom payments were allegedly collected.
Following the suspect’s arrest and subsequent investigation, a joint team of police operatives and Forest Guards launched a targeted operation at the suspected kidnappers’ camp on October 25.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two additional male suspects identified as Seriki and Jebrin, bringing the total number of suspects apprehended to three.
The police said the suspects were undergoing further investigation and would be arraigned in court upon its conclusion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, described the operation as a significant step towards dismantling kidnapping networks and restoring lasting security to vulnerable communities across the state.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The commissioner also said the command would sustain efforts in line with the operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to track down criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the state.
