The state command of Nigeria Police in Ilorin displayed five members of two different kidnapping groups in Kwara State on Wednesday.
Mr. Paul Odama, the state Commissioner of Police, told journalists during the parade of suspected criminals that the command is on the trail of fleeing suspects, their weapons, and money gathered from their victims.
The suspects were identified as Babangida Buguda’male’ 30 years, Bashiru Yakuba’male’ 35 years, Mohammed Umaru’male’ 26 years, Garuba Abubakar’male’ a.k.a. Elero of Lokongoma village, and Abubakar Adam’male’.
The accused admitted to killing one Inspector Segun Ayegbulu of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) posted to the Ekiti state command, according to the police chief.
The command further stated that the suspected kidnappers have terrorized Eruku town in Ekiti local government area, Oro-Ago town in Ifelodun local government area, and Oke-Ode-Share road in Ifelodun local government area in Kwara state, as well as Ekiti and Kogi states.
According to the state commissioner of police, exhibits discovered on them include two locally produced weapons and two telephone phones.
“On September 9, 2022, at around 17:45 hours, Mr. Shina Luke Abiodun, a “male” from Eruku town in the Ekiti local government area of Kwara state, and another person were attacked at Koro village near Eruku town by a group of men numbering about six who emerged from the bush carrying guns and other dangerous weapons.
“The thugs opened fire on them, injuring them with gunshots. But they managed to flee the attack and make their way to the kidnapping patrol squad that was stationed in Eruku town.
“Efforts are on top gear to get him arrested. All the suspects would soon be charged to court”. The Police boss, who warned criminal elements to leave the state, said that the command would not make Kwara state comfortable for criminals. “Therefore, criminal elements are advised to leave Kwara state, as plans are firmly on the ground to make Kwara state hot and uncomfortable for criminal elements.”
“This prompted the Commissioner of Police to dispatch a team of State Intelligent Bureau (SIB) and traditional Police from the Oke-Ode Division.
“Diligent investigation led to the arrest of one Garuba Abubakar ‘male’ A.K.A. Elero of Lokongoma village and Abubakar Adam ‘male’ of Ile Nam Oke-Ode, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara state who are members of the abduction syndicate. They admitted to having collected the N500,000 ransom given by the victim.
“The gang’s leader, one Chairman Rabiu’male,’ who is now at large, is believed to be in possession of the gang’s firearm and always in possession of all ransom collected, as admitted by two detained suspects.
The pursuit of his arrest is in high gear. All of the suspects would shortly face court charges.
The police chief said that the command will not create a comfortable environment for criminals in Kwara state and advised criminal elements to leave.
Criminal elements are therefore encouraged to leave Kwara state because there are solid preparations in place to make it hot and uncomfortable for them.
