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By Abubakar Umar
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered firearms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in the Ilorin metropolis.
The suspects, identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were apprehended by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team attached to the command on May 5, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the arrest followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by security operatives.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly attempted to evade security detection by handing over their weapons to a female accomplice for onward movement to a planned operational location where criminal activities were to be carried out.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the suspects later led operatives to a hideout where several exhibits were recovered, including three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines, and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Further investigations reportedly showed that the suspects, alongside other fleeing members of the syndicate, were planning a coordinated attack, with members moving in small groups towards a designated convergence point before the operation was foiled through timely intelligence gathering and police intervention.
SP Ejire-Adeyemi said the suspects confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate operating within and around Kwara State.
She added that the suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with useful information aimed at apprehending other members of the criminal network and preventing further criminal activities.
The command stated that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
