Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists, Others In Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command yesterday said it has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping, cultism, cattle rustling, armed robbery and other violent crimes, leading to the arrest of some suspects and the recovery of firearms, stolen property and other exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin.

Ojo said the achievements reflected the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive security operations in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The police chief said among the major recoveries was a large consignment of electronic devices intercepted on July 20, 2026 along the Oko-Olowo/Alapa axis by operatives of Operation Harmony.

He said that three teenage suspects, Ali Umaru, 16, Alhaji Modu, 17, and Abacha Babagana, 14, were arrested while conveying cartons of mobile phones, power banks, smartphones, wristwatches and a portable speaker.

He said that the suspects failed to provide proof of ownership or satisfactory explanations regarding the items, prompting their arraignment for possession of property reasonably suspected to have been stolen.

Ojo disclosed that the command also recorded significant breakthroughs in several kidnapping investigations.

He said one Aliyu Mohammed, who allegedly assisted abductors to kidnap Miss Sekinat Mukaila of Wande community on July 15, 2026 has been arrested while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

“Similarly, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested Haruna Rabiu, 30, alleged to be a member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating around the forests linking Landaji and Ndeji in Patigi local government area.

“The suspect was reportedly arrested while monitoring the area ahead of planned criminal activities and is believed to have links with the notorious Auta Ilorin kidnapping network. Three mobile phones recovered from him are undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations.

“In another case, detectives uncovered the alleged abduction and murder of 29-year-old Sulaiman Riliwan, who disappeared after leaving his residence in Offa.

“Police said investigations identified Mohammed Jamiu, who had a business relationship with the victim, as the last person to see him alive. His arrest reportedly led to the discovery of the victim’s body inside an abandoned well in a bush in Offa.

“Five additional suspects – Fashola Abdulfatai, Daniel Gideon, Adegoke Oladimeji, Aliyu Yusuf and Abubakar Ahmed – were subsequently arrested over their alleged roles in the crime, while efforts continue to arrest another fleeing suspect and recover the firearm allegedly used.

“The command also intensified its offensive against cultism with the arrest of suspected members of the Buccaneer confraternity, namely Oluwafemi Bukoye, Israel Ogungbile and Adesoye Abdulwarith, popularly known as ‘Wadolee’,” he stated.