The Kwara State commissioner of police, CP,
Victor Olaiya (psc+) has reiterated the determination of the command under his leadership, to keep crime levels in the state at very low levels as he paraded 11 suspects arrested for various crimes including kidnap, attempted kidnap, robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
The CP spoke to newsmen in an interactive session after the parade of the suspect on Thursday, at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin.
CP Olaiya explained to newsmen that the reduction of abduction cases in Kwara, was the outcome of sustained measures the command put in place since October last year.
According to him, “Back in October 2023, the police painstakingly going through leads and intelligence, arrested over 50 suspects believed to have been involved in the spate of kidnapping over the years.” And “In February this year, we also picked another 60.”
These proactive measures of the Police drove down the state of kidnap and violent crimes in the state.
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“The result is what you are seeing in the drastic reduction of abduction cases in the state,” the Olaiya stated.
The police boss went on to explain the sudden upsurge in cultism in the state.
Recall Rextun City Updates reported cult related violence which ensued in the state leaving one dead and arrest of 46 suspects in Ilorin alone.
The commissioner stated that the police command believe the lynchpin in the latest crime wave are known offenders who were released on bail by courts recently.
Olaiya stated that “In October last year, about 15 suspected cultists were arrested, arraigned and remanded in prison custody.
“But in February, the courts granted them bail.
“We are of the belief that this could have triggered the recent cult related activities in the state,”
Earlier before the interactive session with the newsmen, the CP paraded 11 arrested suspects.
One of the suspects, Isah Umaru ‘M’ was arrested in a case of kidnapping four persons.
“On the 8th of October, 2023, an unfortunate incident occurred in Paasa Igbokedu area, Asa Local Government, where Mr. Atilola Sarafa was forcefully abducted from his residence. Additionally, Mrs. Afusat Lawal, along with two of her children, Lawal Taofik and Lawal Aliyu, were kidnapped from Okoolowo Express road, Shao, on the 16th of October, 2023.
“The Kwara State Police Command made a breakthrough in the case. On the 26th of March, 2024, One Isah Umaru of Sokoto village was apprehended based on valuable intelligence. Mr. Umaru confessed to his involvement in the case of kidnapping which led to the arrest of Mr. Umaru Maanu, who is currently in custody at the correctional center here in Ilorin.
“The victims were held captive together, and the perpetrators utilized Mr. Sarafa’s phone in demanding for ransom from Hon. Ayansola Lawal who is the husband of Mrs Afusat Lawal.
Another suspect, Tahiru Mohammed, was paraded for a case of attempted kidnapping.
The CP narrated that “The Oke-Ode Divisional Police Headquarters received a report on the 24th of March, 2024, regarding an attempted kidnapping incident involving individuals identified as Salaudeen Yusuf and Abubakar Gidan Samaila. The primary suspect, Tahiru Mohammed, allegedly threatened to abduct Alhaji Salaudeen Yusuf of Nawo village. A swift response ensued, with security operatives collaborating with vigilantes and local hunters to apprehend the suspect, Tahiru Mohammed, of Ayekale village.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to plotting the kidnapping without a clear motive.
Yet on kidnap related cases, two men, Wasiu Afolabi ‘M’,
Moshood Sulaiman ‘M’ were paraded for an alleged self- kidnapping.
“On March 17th, 2024, a worrisome case of self-kidnapping was reported when Lekan Afolabi from Amayo Town reported that his 24-year-old younger brother, Wasiu Afolabi, was missing, allegedly abducted.
“Following ransom demands amounting to ₦3 million, negotiations ensued, with the kidnappers agreeing to accept ₦500,000, with an initial installment of ₦200,000. However, investigations led by the Kwara Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad revealed a shocking truth.
“The purported victim, Wasiu Afolabi, was apprehended after it was discovered that he had orchestrated his own kidnapping to extort money for personal use.
“The police arrested Moshood Sulaiman, a POS operator from Oyun Area, Ilorin, who facilitated the financial transactions. Upon interrogation, Wasiu Afolabi confessed to the deceitful act.
Another suspect, Emmanuel Oluwafemi was arrested and paraded for a case of attempted culpable homicide and illegal possession of firearms.
“On the 1st of April 2024, at about 2030Hrs, ASP Sunday Adamolekun from the Human Rights Section of the State CID, Ilorin, reported and brought to our attention a young man identified as Emmanuel Oluwafemi, residing in Alubarika Villa, Oke-Ose, Kwara State.
On the said evening, while the complainant and his friend, ASP Adepoju Taiwo, were returning home in a Toyota Corolla, they encountered the suspect driving recklessly near Gaa-Akanbi Roundabout, Ilorin. The suspect, Emmanuel Oluwafemi, obstructed their path, verbally abused them, thereafter, brought out a pistol and fired five (5) shots at them.
Upon searching the suspect, the following items were recovered:
A pistol, 55 live ammunition of 9mm calibre, An international passport belonging to the suspect, A licensed pump-action gun and Criminal charms.
Suspects were also paraded in two separate cases of criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery.
The suspects in the first case, Mr. Jibril Sani ‘M’, Abdullahi Sani ‘M’, Mohammed Suleiman ‘M’, Abubakar Shede ‘M’ were arrested in a robbery incident that occurred on 5th of March, 2024.
“Mr. Jimoh Taiye Jethro, a resident of Amayo area in Ilorin, reported to the Area Commander Metro Ilorin through a petition that on the 16th of February, 2024, while returning from a business trip on his Bajaj motorcycle with registration number EDE 340QB between the Kogi/Kwara boundary, he was ambushed and robbed at gunpoint by unknown assailants. The perpetrators made away with his motorcycle, two mobile phones, a bag containing his UBA and First Bank ATM cards, and a sum of ₦150,000, amounting to a total value of ₦1,000,000.
Following diligent investigation, one of the stolen phones was tracked and recovered from Mr. Jibril Sani of Babanla, which subsequently led to the apprehension of Abdullahi Sani, Mohammed Suleiman, and Abubakar Shede, all residents of Babanla. Additionally, the stolen motorcycle was successfully recovered.
A second case of criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery involved Olafimiye Bashir Abdulazees who was paraded with One locally made pistol.
“On 7/4/2024, at about 1530hrs, Mr. Momonu Ayuba of Sosoki Village, Alapa, Kwara State, along with two of his brothers, were accosted by two armed individuals while relaxing under a tree. The perpetrators, armed with a locally made pistol, demanded money from the victims. However, upon refusal, the brave actions of Mr. Ayuba and his brother led to the apprehension of one of the armed robbers, identified as Olafimiye Bashir Abdulazees of Onile-Aro Compound, Oloje, Ilorin.
The CP noted that his accomplice is at large and fforts are on to apprehend him.
Another arrested suspect, Shola Adigun Samuel was alleged with serial phone theft within and around Ilorin.
His arrest according to the CP “was made possible through the diligent tracking of a Samsung Galaxy A71 handset reported stolen on February 16, 2024, in GRA Ilorin, property of Mr. Chima Onyeagu of Olorunshogo Street, GRA Ilorin.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his modus operandi, specializing in breaking into residence at night while occupants are asleep, searching for handsets and other valuable items. He further divulged that Soji Akinola, residing in Abuja, was the recipient of these stolen phones.
“Subsequently, seven assorted phones, including the Samsung Galaxy A71, were recovered from the suspect. All recovered handsets have been identified by their respective owners.
“Notably, the suspect conducted a raid on Meduku Street, Sango Area, Ilorin, on April 11, 2024, where he stole six assorted handsets.
Shola Adigun Samuel confessed to being a lone operator from Ibadan. Efforts are currently underway to track down the receiver in Abuja.
All paraded suspects are in the process of being arraigned in court as Investigations are concluded on their cases.
Meanwhile, CP Olaiya has stated that credit for the success in crime fighting in the state is not that of the police alone.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Executive Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq for his unwavering support, and to the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, for his invaluable guidance in combating crime in Kwara State.
” I must also thank the Sister agencies the Vigilante Group of Nigeria Kwara State Chapter, Community Policing volunteers who have helped boost the peace and harmony Kwara State enjoys,”
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest law enforcement agency.
