Police arrest 18 suspected kidnappers, cultists as teen held for murder in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested several people for alleged kidnapping, cultism and homicide in different parts of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Ilorin.
Mr Ojo said the Command had recently strengthened intelligence-driven operations and tactical deployments to dismantle criminal networks threatening public safety.

“In recent weeks, the Command has intensified intelligence-driven operations, strengthened tactical deployments and collaborated with relevant security agencies to tackle violent crimes, including kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms,” Mr Ojo said.

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He urged the media to report security developments accurately, noting that the partnership between the police and the press is vital in keeping residents informed and reassured.

One of the cases highlighted involved the arrest of a 15-year-old boy over the alleged killing of a woman identified as Akanbi A.

The police said the incident occurred on January 14, when officers received a distress report that the victim was found lying in a pool of blood in her residence.

Investigations revealed that the suspect, who lived with the deceased, allegedly hid behind a door and attacked her with household items while she was bathing.

Items recovered from the scene include a frying pan, a weighing scale, kitchen knives and a spatula.

The police commissioner said the teenager claimed during interrogation that he was driven by resentment and that he failed in earlier attempts to poison the victim.

“After committing the offence, the suspect reportedly changed his clothes and left the house under the guise of running an errand before contacting the deceased’s husband, who later discovered her lifeless body,” Mr Ojo said, adding that the suspect would be charged in court after investigations.

In another development, three suspects – Bello Ori, Muhammadu Jemare and Mohammadu Shehu – were arrested over the kidnapping of construction workers and engineers along Owu Falls Road in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The police said the suspects were tracked and apprehended on 26 February after investigators traced one of the victims’ stolen mobile phones.

Mr Ojo explained that the phone’s digital tracking helped officers identify and locate the suspects.

Operatives also arrested 10 other suspects in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun LGA, during a joint intelligence-led operation carried out in the early hours of 1 March.

The suspects were allegedly part of a kidnapping syndicate planning to infiltrate the area. The police recovered 10 Bajaj Boxer motorcycles believed to be used for criminal operations.

Among those arrested were individuals said to be responsible for maintaining the motorcycles and providing logistics support to the group.

“The suspects are currently in secure custody while in-depth investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider criminal network and establish their link to other violent crimes,” the police boss said.

In Moro Local Government Area, the police also arrested a 23-year-old woman, Awawu Bodo, after officers recovered a revolver and three live cartridges during a search of a residence linked to suspected kidnappers operating from Dogo Fulani Camp via Olooru.

Mr Ojo said the woman, believed to be the wife of a principal suspect who fled the scene, is assisting investigators with useful information. At the same time, efforts continue to track down other suspects.

Similarly, three men – Zubairu Abubakar, Alhaji Issa and Abdullahi Yahaya – were arrested during a routine stop-and-search operation along Duro/Kpada Road in Patigi.

The police recovered a locally made revolver loaded with six rounds of AK-47 calibre ammunition as well as an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle from the suspects.

Although the motorcycle rider claimed he was a commercial operator carrying the other two men as passengers, the suspects reportedly failed to give a satisfactory explanation for the firearm found in their possession.

The Command also recorded breakthroughs in its crackdown on cultism in Ilorin metropolis.

Three suspected cult members – Abadulrasheed Hammed, Abdulganeen Abdulafeez and Muhammed Nuhu Wahab – were arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 28-year-old man, Victor Mathew Nwachukwu, in front of Imam Filling Station in the Kulende area of Ilorin on January 6.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Aiye and Alora confraternities.

The police also recovered firearms, ammunition, battle axes, charms and items bearing the insignia of the Neo Black Movement cult group.

Mr Ojo said further investigations are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who participated in the attack.

In a related case, police arrested Sofiullahi Idowu, popularly known as “ID”, for criminal conspiracy, attempted homicide and cult-related violence.

The suspect was apprehended after he allegedly aimed a locally made gun at a police officer during a violent confrontation involving suspected cultists in the Oke-Bonke community of Ilorin on December 24, 2025.

“He confessed during interrogation that he was formerly the Number One leader of the Eiye confraternity in the Olunlade axis and admitted that he intended to shoot the police officer before he was overpowered,” the commissioner said.

In the Erin-Ile community, police also arrested Noah Olorunyomi for allegedly killing a farmer and injuring another person in separate shootings.

Investigations showed that the suspect allegedly ambushed and shot a man identified as Shina R at a cashew plantation, killing him instantly, while another victim, who was shot earlier in the abdomen, survived and is receiving medical treatment.

Mr Ojo said the suspect has confessed to the crimes and will be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.

The police commissioner said the successes recorded demonstrate the Command’s determination to maintain law and order through intelligence-led policing.

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“These operational successes clearly demonstrate our unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order in Kwara State through decisive tactical interventions,” he said.

He commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible information.

“Security remains a collective responsibility, and we encourage citizens to provide credible and actionable intelligence that will assist us in safeguarding lives and property,” Mr Ojo added.