Police arrest two suspected kidnappers in Kwara, recover AK-47 rifles

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwara State have arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Ilorin.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team attached to the state command following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.

The suspects, identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were arrested on May 5 at about 7:30 p.m. within Ilorin metropolis.

“Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, successfully trailed and apprehended the two suspects within Ilorin metropolis,” he said.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, as part of efforts to evade security detection, had allegedly handed over their weapons to a female accomplice for onward movement to an agreed operational location where planned criminal activities were to be executed,” he said.

The statement added that the suspects later led operatives to a hideout where arms and ammunition were recovered.

Items recovered included three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

“Further investigation disclosed that the suspects and other fleeing members of the syndicate were allegedly planning a coordinated attack, with members moving in small groups toward a designated convergence point before the operation was foiled through timely intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.

He further stated that the suspects confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate operating within and around Kwara State.

The command also assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects, adding that those arrested would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.