Five suspected kidnappers belonging to two separate gangs have been arrested by the anti-kidnapping operatives of the Kwara state police command.
Members of the first gang include Babagida Buguda ‘m’ (30) described as a kinpin, Bashiru Yakuba ‘m’ 35yrs and Mohammed Umaru ‘m’ 26yrs.
Parading the suspects at the state police command headquarters in Ilorin on Wednesday, the state Police Commissioner, Paul Odama, said they were arrested on December 20,2022 in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun Local Government of the state.
According to the police boss, exhibits allegedly recovered from them included two locally made guns, and two Telephone handsets.
Paul Odama revealed that "on 9/11/2022 at about 1745hrs, One Mr. Shina Luke Abiodun ‘m’ of Eruku town in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, and one other, while riding on a motorcycle on their way from Egbe in Kogi State were accosted at Koro village close to Eruku town by men numbering about six, who emerged from the bush armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
"The hoodlums opened fire on them and they sustained gunshot injuries. They however escaped the attack and ran to the Anti-Kidnapping patrol team stationed at Eruku town.
"The team moved to the scene and one Techno Phone was recovered. Forensic analysis of the phone by the investigators led to the arrest of the kingpin and two of his gang members in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara state on 20/12/2022."
The police Commissioner said suspects confessed during interrogation to have been responsible for kidnapping operations within Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara States respectively.
"One of their victims and his six year old son came from Ekiti State to identify and confirmed that they were kidnapped and held captive for six days by the suspects and were released after payment of N6m.
"The suspects also confessed to have also killed one Inspector Segun Ayegbulu of the NSCDC attached to Ekiti Command," the police Commissioner added.
He said further Investigation into the matter led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, while efforts are also ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang and recovery of the remaining fire-arms in their possession.
The second gang of suspected kidnappers comprising Garuba Abubakar, aka, Elero of Lokongoma village and Abubakar Adam ofIle Nam, Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government of the state, were arrested for alleged kidnap of a 15-year-old Abubakar Mohammed along Oke-Ode -Share road in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara state.
According to the account of the Police Commissioner, "on 12/12/2022, intelligence available to the Command indicated that one Abubakar Mohammed ‘m’ 15 yrs old has been kidnapped along Oke-Ode – Share road, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State.
The report, prompted the Commissioner of Police to dispatch a team of State Intelligent Bureau (SIB) and conventional Police from Oke-Ode Division.
Diligent investigation led to the arrest of one Garuba Abubakar ‘m’ A.K.A. Elero of Lokongoma village and Abubakar Adam ‘m’ of Ile Nam Oke-Ode, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State who are members of the kidnap syndicate.
He disclosed that they confessed to have collected the N500,000 ransom paid by the victim.
Paul Odama added that the leader of the gang identified as Chairman Rabiu ‘m’ who is presently at large is said to be in possession of the gang's fire arm and always in custody of all ransom collected as confessed by two arrested suspects.
Efforts is on top gear to get him arrested, while all the suspects would soon be charged to court, he stated.
The Police Commissioner who vowed that the Command will make Kwara State uncomfortable for criminals, advised them to leave the State.
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