Kwara Police Arrest Kidnapping Kingpin, 21 others, Recover Arms, ₦11m Ransom in Cash

By Bamidele Aremu and Damola Kadri

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 22 suspects, including a notorious kidnapping gang leader, in a series of coordinated raids targeting criminal networks across the state. The operation also led to the recovery of illegal firearms, ammunition, and over ₦11 million in suspected ransom payments.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo during a press conference held at the police headquarters in GRA, Ilorin on Friday disclosed that the arrests followed a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations targeting armed robbery, kidnapping, gun-running, and related crimes.

“These successes reflect the Command’s strategic focus on intelligence-led policing, rapid response to threats, and unwavering resolve to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state. ” CP Ojo stated.

The Commissioner of Police further revealed that ” Idirisu Sariki, identified as the leader of the kidnapping syndicate operating around Baruten Local Government Area was captured following a gun battle with police operatives on June 23. During the exchange, one of the suspects was killed while a vigilante operative also lost his life. The abducted victim, Dauda, was found alive and rescued from a forest location. Recovered from the scene were an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of live ammunition and a red Golf vehicle believed to have been used in the abduction.

Under interrogation, Sariki confessed to participating in several kidnappings and gave details of the syndicate’s operations. He confirmed his role in the criminal syndicate that has been terrorizing the border communities of the state”

In a separate operation, three women Aisha Haruna, Rabi Umaru, and Fatimoh Abubakar were arrested at Babanla Motor Park with an AK-47 rifle and 31 rounds of ammunition concealed in their luggage. The Police revealed that the women confessed that the weapon was given to her by a contact in Kaduna to deliver to a man residing in the Baba-Sango forest.

“The second suspect revealed she was relocating to the Baba-Sango forest to reunite with her husband, who she admitted is an active member of a known kidnap-for-ransom gang,” Ojo revealed.

Also in the Share area of Ifelodun LGA, Suleiman Jamiu and Mumini Mohammed were intercepted with ₦11.3 million in cash, suspected to be ransom proceeds. Further checks revealed that Jamiu had been linked to a February 2025 kidnapping in which ₦20 million was demanded as ransom. He had since been on the Command’s watchlist.

The Commissioner said, “Preliminary intelligence suggests that the cash recovered may represent proceeds of criminal activities, particularly ransom payments from previous or ongoing kidnapping operations.”

In Edu LGA, six members of another kidnap gang were arrested in Gbugbu following a manhunt for a wanted ringleader identified as Tambaya, who remains at large. The suspects Umar Mohammed, Aliyu Usman, Sidi Sagari, Jemo Isah, Shehu Ibrahim, and Lawal Umar were found with two locally made firearms and confessed to providing support for abductions in Kwara and neighboring Niger State.

The Police also confirmed the arrest of Mohammed Olaiya Dende, Mohammed Dende, and Somo Gida in connection with two violent abductions in Oro. One person was shot dead, and six people were abducted in separate attacks on May 30 and June 1. The suspects have been charged with kidnapping and culpable homicide.

In Ifelodun LGA, Buba Lawal, an indigene of Kogi State was caught with an AK-47 magazine containing eight rounds. He admitted to being an ammunition courier for a kidnap gang operating along the Kwara-Kogi border and revealed names of collaborators, which police say has opened new leads.

In Ilorin, Saheed Jimoh Adekeja was arrested with a cut-to-size pistol and Indian hemp during a stop-and-search near the Federal Government College area. He claimed the weapon was given to him by a man named Muritala to guard a farm in Awe Village.

Also in Amoyo, police recovered a locally made double-barrel pistol after three young men fled an uncompleted building during a routine patrol. One suspect, identified as Olamide alias “Bold”, a known drug dealer, is still at large.

Meanwhile, in Malete, three suspects were also arrested in connection with armed robberies targeting student hostels at Kwara State University. Adamu Nuhu, Dauda Amuda, and Dare Alabi were found with multiple stolen items, including iPhones, smartwatches, and earpods.

One of the suspects arrested in Malete admitted that they attacked three student hostels, robbing about 15 students with knife.

Ojo, reiterated the Command’s uncompromising stance against violent crimes and warned criminal elements to steer clear of the state.

“To all criminal elements involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal arms trade, or aiding and abetting violent crimes, let this serve as a clear and direct warning: Kwara State is hostile to your operations, and we will not relent until every inch of this state is secure for its citizens,” he said.

He commended the contributions of officers, local vigilantes, and other security stakeholders in achieving the recent successes.

“I commend all tactical teams, investigative units, divisional formations, the vigilantes, local hunters, and collaborating security agencies whose professionalism and dedication to duty continue to make these victories possible. I extend deep appreciation to the residents of Kwara State, whose vigilance and timely intelligence have remained a crucial part of our policing success. As always, we urge members of the public to continue to support the Police by providing actionable and credible information,” he added.