Kwara State Police Command says it has arrested suspected criminals, recovered firearms and seized over N11 million naira suspected to be ransom proceeds.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo stated this while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the command in Ilorin.
According to him, police operatives, working in collaboration with local security groups, apprehended a notorious kidnap suspect, Idirisu Sariki, in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area.
Ojo said Sariki is believed to be linked to several kidnapping cases in border communities in the state.
He explained that during the operation, security forces recovered an AK-47 rifle, 13 rounds of ammunition, and a red Volkswagen Golf car reportedly used by the criminal gang.
The commissioner of Police noted that in a separate incident, three women were also intercepted at Babanla Motor Park in connection with arms smuggling, adding that One AK-47 rifle and 31 rounds of ammunition were recovered during their arrest.
He hinted that in Share, Ifelodun Local Government Area, two suspects Suleiman Jamiu and Mumini Mohammed were arrested in possession of N11.3 million, suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping ransoms.
Ojo said another gang of three men, including Mohammed Olaiya Dende and Mohammed Dende, were arrested in connection with the May 30 and June 1 kidnappings in Oro.
He said the suspects would face charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide after attacks on a cashew factory and a residential community that left one person dead and six others abducted.
The Police Commissioner also said six suspects were apprehended for their involvement in the kidnapping of Alhaji Abbass and Abubakar Issa in Lafiagi.
Two firearms were also recovered in the course of investigations.
He assured the residents that security operations would be intensified to maintain peace and security across the state.
Reporting by Abubakar umar