The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspects and uncovered a suspected kidnapping syndicate allegedly linked to several abductions across the state following an intelligence-led joint operation involving the police and forest guards.

The breakthrough followed the arrest of one Aliyu Isiaka, male, from Ga’a-Kpapa Village in Moro Local Government Area, by a team of forest guards led by Jebrin Adam at Okolowo, Ilorin, on October 24, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m.

The suspect was reportedly intercepted while disguised in female attire, wearing a hijab and carrying a polythene bag containing assorted charms.

According to Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer, Isiaka allegedly confessed during interrogation to being a member of a nine-man kidnapping syndicate led by one Juli, male, from Fulani Camp, Ga’a-Kpapa, who is currently at large.

She said the suspect disclosed that he was recruited into the gang in August 2026 and had participated in three kidnapping operations in Oloru, Alapa and Malete, where substantial ransom payments were allegedly collected.

Following further investigations and operational coordination, a joint team of police personnel and forest guards conducted a targeted operation at the suspected kidnappers’ camp on October 25, 2026.

The operation led to the arrest of two additional male suspects, identified only as Seriki and Jebrin, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to three.

The suspects are undergoing further investigation and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation, the police said.

Ojo Adekimi, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, described the operation as another significant step towards dismantling kidnapping networks and restoring lasting security to vulnerable communities across the state.

He reiterated that, in line with the operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the command would sustain intelligence-led operations, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and intensify efforts to apprehend criminal elements threatening peace and security in Kwara State.