Police arrest 6 suspected kidnappers in Kwara
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 6 suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms in Baruten Local Government Area as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities in the state.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the statement, the breakthrough followed a reported kidnapping incident on April 23, 2026, involving Isaq J. of Boriya Village via Okuta, for whom a ransom of ₦50 million was demanded.
The Command disclosed that upon receiving the report, it launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation and sustained pressure on the suspects, which led to the eventual release of the victim.
Further investigations led to the arrest of one Mohammed Shede of Boriya Village on April 30, 2026. The suspect reportedly confessed to providing intelligence to members of the gang, identified as “Smalley” and “Borugujo,” which aided the abduction of the victim at his farm.
The statement added that subsequent operations resulted in the arrest of 4 additional suspects identified as Abubakar Aliu, said to be the gang’s armourer, Abu Sonkpia, Saliu Yakubu, and Sanni Sakariyau, all from the same community.
The suspects also reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping as well as an armed robbery incident involving another resident of the area. Items recovered from the suspects include 2 locally made rifles and 6 mobile phones.
The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, including the identified gang leaders and additional accomplices still at large. It urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support security operations across the state.