Kwara Police Arrest Seven Suspected Kidnappers, Recover AK-47 and Other Firearms

The Kwara State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, with the arrest of seven suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate and the recovery of several firearms during intelligence-led operations across parts of the state.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad launched a coordinated operation on May 28, 2026, following credible intelligence on the abduction of a resident in the Agbeyangi area of Ilorin. The operation was aimed at rescuing victims and dismantling a criminal network believed to be responsible for a series of kidnapping incidents across Kwara State.

Investigations led to the arrest of Surajo Abubakar, whose alleged involvement in the crime provided investigators with critical intelligence that significantly advanced the operation. Further exploitation of the intelligence resulted in the arrest of Umar Yabani, popularly known as “Yabo,” who police identified as the leader of the syndicate, alongside two other suspects, Isah A. Sule and Umar Sani.

During the operation, police recovered an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun from the suspects. Preliminary findings linked the arrested individuals to several kidnapping cases in Ilorin East, Edu, Ifelodun and neighbouring communities within the state.

Determined to dismantle the remaining elements of the network, investigators intensified efforts and conducted a follow-up operation on June 4, 2026, in collaboration with members of the Forest Guard and local vigilante groups. The operation, carried out in strategic locations across Edu and Ifelodun Local Government Areas, led to the arrest of three additional suspects identified as Bello Alhaji Maidabo, 25; Shehu Malami, 23; and Riskuwa Babuga, 18.

The suspects were apprehended in a forest near Tsaragi following coordinated surveillance and tactical operations. Security operatives also recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm loaded with two live cartridges during the exercise.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the newly arrested suspects played various roles within the criminal network and are providing valuable information to investigators. The information is expected to assist ongoing efforts to rescue victims believed to still be in captivity and track down other fleeing members of the gang.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, described the breakthrough as a reflection of the operational directives and strategic vision of Olatunji Disu aimed at strengthening intelligence-led policing, dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the country.

The Commissioner reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and actionable information that could aid crime-fighting efforts.