Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwara State have arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Ilorin.
The suspects, Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were arrested on May 5 at about 7:30 p.m. within Ilorin metropolis by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team attached to the state command.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance on the activities of the suspected criminal network.
“Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, successfully trailed and apprehended the two suspects within Ilorin metropolis,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that the suspects attempted to evade detection by handing over their weapons to a female accomplice for onward transfer to a planned operational location.
The police said the suspects later led operatives to a hideout where a cache of weapons was recovered.
Recovered items included three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The command added that investigations revealed the syndicate was planning a coordinated attack, with members allegedly moving in groups toward a designated convergence point before the operation was disrupted.
The Commissioner of Police stated that the suspects confessed to being part of a kidnapping network operating within Kwara State and surrounding areas.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down fleeing members of the gang, adding that the arrested suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
