The Nigeria Police Force in Kwara State has announced the arrest of two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and the recovery of multiple AK-47 rifles and live ammunition in Ilorin, following what authorities described as an intelligence-led operation aimed at preventing a planned coordinated attack.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) attached to the command.
The statement said the suspects, identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were arrested on May 5, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m. within Ilorin metropolis after police operatives acted on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly transferred their weapons to a female accomplice in a bid to evade security detection and facilitate movement of the arms to a planned operational location.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly led security operatives to a hideout where police recovered three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines, and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The command further disclosed that intelligence gathered during the investigation indicated that members of the syndicate had allegedly been moving in small groups toward a designated convergence point in preparation for a coordinated attack before the operation was foiled.
According to the police, the suspects confessed to belonging to a kidnapping syndicate operating within and around Kwara State.
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The police added that the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting investigators with information aimed at tracking down other fleeing members of the criminal network and preventing further criminal activities.
The statement noted that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The operation, the command said, aligns with the policing vision and operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, which emphasize proactive and intelligence-driven crime prevention strategies.
