A total of nine suspected kidnappers were arrested by the operatives of the Kwara Police State Command after a gun duel in their hideouts inside the thick forest of Eyenkorin, Asa Local Government Area, and Bode Sadu, Moro Local Government Area, while some suspects escaped with bullets injuries.
Also, three members of a notorious kidnap gang and cattle rustlers were killed in a gun duel with men and officers of the State Police Command last weekend in the Bode Sadu community in the Moro Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Monday, the Kwara State Police Commissioner, CP Paul Odama, said that the suspects were arrested with exhibits such as three locally made guns, and 10 cartridges, among other weapons.
The CP said that on Sunday, 22 January 2023 at 9:00 am, intelligence was available to the Divisional Police Officer, Bode Sadu to the effect that suspected kidnappers were in the bush along Balogun area, Bode Sadu in preparation to strike.
He further reiterated that DPO mobilized vigilantes, hunters, and policemen, stormed the bush and they engaged the kidnappers. During the exchange of gunfire, three of the kidnappers were neutralized while two suspects Lagi Bala and Iliasu Idris were arrested with three locally made guns.
He said the arrested suspects confessed to being kidnappers and cattle rustlers. They also confessed to being responsible for the series of kidnapping cases in the Malete and Shao areas of Kwara state.
The names of the neutralized members of the gang are: Bala Idris, Hassan Idris, and Baso Idris
Similarly, on Saturday, 21 January 2023, the Divisional Police officer of Eiyenkorin Division, with vigilante and local hunters in carrying out the directive of the Commissioner of POLICE regarding zero tolerance for kidnapping, stormed the Eyenkorin thick forest to search the hide-outs of kidnappers.
In the shooting encounter with the suspected kidnappers sighted in the bush, some suspects escaped with bullet injuries, while some were arrested.
On the same day, information was received that one suspected Fulani man was seen with bullet wounds inside the bush within Eyenkorin, policeman traced and arrested the suspect, and during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate that specializes in kidnapping people around Eyenkorin, Oko-olowo axis.
He mentioned one Alhaji Anta now at large as the leader of the gang, other suspects arrested include Buga Ali, Suleiman Issah, Aminu Bello, Suleman Biliyah, and Yahaha Adam.
“In another successful operation based on an actionable intelligence that some suspected kidnappers who were believed to be responsible for kidnapping around the axis were sighted, the Police quickly mobilized vigilante and local hunters and headed to the area.
“Two of the kidnappers by name Yau Alhaji Anta and Idris Alhaji Anta were arrested. The suspects confessed to being responsible for the kidnap of the two kidnapped victims in the Oluwalose community, Oko-olowo, one Alhaji Tunde Buhari, and one Muhammed Mecho.
“When brought together, the victim identified one of the suspects as one of his abductors. The suspects would soon be charged in court after an investigation.
In a case of criminal trespass and theft, the Police boss said that the command have arrested two suspects for theft of motorcycles.
“On Sunday, 22 January 2023, one Babatunde Waheed parked his BAJAJ motorcycle with REG. No. SMK 473 QJ valued at N500,000 at Kulende market Zango area Ilorin. On his way back, he discovered that his motorcycle has been stolen from where it was parked. Concerted efforts by the Police led to the arrest and recovery of the stolen motorcycle.
“In another case of theft, on Friday, 20 January 2023, one Emmanual Joshua of Ajelanwa phase one Zango Ilorin parked his TVS Motorcycle with Reg. NO. AFN 752 VD valued sum of N700,000.00 in his house at the aforementioned address, one Issah Shuaib on Saturday, 21 January 2023 destroyed the toilet window of the complainant’s house and carted away the said motorcycle.
“The said motorcycle was tracked and traced to the suspect possession at Oke-Ose by the policemen where he has dismantled the stolen motorcycle, the State Police Commissioner said.
The CP said that all suspects will be charged in court when the investigation is concluded.
He warned would-be criminals of whatever nomenclature that the command is all out to see that they are rounded up and sent to where they belong as Kwara State is a state of harmony and the command would do everything to maintain and sustain the name.
