The police have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction in the state.
Muhamodu Sanni was arrested at a Point-of-Sale terminal in the Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area, according to the police.
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The state command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday and shared on the command’s X account.
She said the arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation launched after three people were abducted in Obudu village on 28 July.
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“The sustained offensive of the Kwara State Police Command against kidnapping has recorded another significant breakthrough, as intelligence-led operations successfully penetrated the support structure of a kidnapping syndicate operating around Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area, culminating in the arrest of Muhamodu Sanni while allegedly attempting to cash out ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction,” the statement said.
According to the command, investigators expanded their inquiry beyond the scene of the abduction to the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly supporting the kidnapping operation.
“This strategy yielded results when intelligence surrounding the ransom transaction was successfully exploited, leading operatives to Muhamodu Sanni, who was intercepted at a Point-of-Sale (POS) location while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds connected with the abduction,” the police said.
The command said Mr Sanni made disclosures during interrogation that led investigators to two other suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Aminu and Umar.
“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily cooperated with investigators and made useful disclosures concerning his role in the ransom collection process,” Mrs Ejire-Adeyemi said.
“He also provided information regarding other members of the syndicate, including two suspects identified as Aminu and Umar.”
She said the information provided by the suspect had strengthened the police’s understanding of the alleged criminal network and provided further leads for investigation.
Kwara’s kidnapping crisis
The arrest comes amid other cases of kidnappings and attacks reported across Kwara State in recent months.
PREMIUM TIMES recently reported that suspected terrorists attacked several communities in Isin and Ifelodun local government areas on 11 June, abducting residents and killing one person during an exchange of gunfire in Famole.
Earlier, this newspaper reported the abduction of primary school teacher Shina Adeoye on the Obbo-Ile–Eruku road in Ekiti Local Government Area.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported that a traditional ruler in Olohuntele, Ifelodun Local Government Area, regained his freedom after nearly two months in captivity.
The security situation has also resulted in the displacement of residents from some rural communities.
On 19 June, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Owa-Onire in Ifelodun Local Government Area had been largely deserted following repeated attacks and kidnappings.
Police officers deployed to the community were filmed describing the town as empty, with one officer saying, “All residents have left. There is nobody here again except goats.”
The state has also recorded fatal consequences from kidnapping. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the death of the traditional ruler of Olayinka Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area after he was abducted and held in captivity.
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Police intensify intelligence operations
Mrs Ejire-Adeyemi said the latest arrest reflected the command’s strategy of targeting the wider support networks that enable kidnappers to collect and move ransom payments.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had reassured residents that the command would continue operations against criminal groups.
The commissioner urged residents to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist investigations and prevent further attacks.
The police said efforts were ongoing to locate the other suspects identified by Mr Sanni and dismantle the kidnapping network operating in the Obudu/Woru axis.
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