Kwara police arrest suspected kidnapper while withdrawing ransom at POS

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate operating around the Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area after tracking him to a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal where he was allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction.

The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was intercepted by police operatives during an intelligence-led investigation into the abduction of three people during an armed attack on Obudu Village on July 28, 2026.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying investigators expanded the operation beyond the scene of the attack to uncover the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly supporting the kidnapping operation.

According to the command, intelligence gathered around the movement of the ransom payment eventually led operatives to Sanni at the POS terminal.

The police said the suspect was arrested while allegedly attempting to withdraw money connected to the ransom paid for the release of the kidnapped victims.

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The command said the development demonstrated the importance of investigating the financial trail associated with kidnapping operations, rather than focusing solely on the immediate perpetrators of an abduction.

“Rather than limit operational efforts to the immediate scene of the attack, investigators widened the scope of investigation to the communication, logistics and financial channels sustaining the criminal operation,” the statement said.

Police said Sanni cooperated with investigators during interrogation and allegedly provided information about his role in the collection of the ransom.

His disclosures reportedly led investigators to other suspected members of the network, identified as Aminu and Umar.

The command said further intelligence and operational leads were being pursued as investigators work to establish the wider structure of the suspected kidnapping network and identify other people allegedly involved in the operation.

The arrest comes amid continued security concerns over kidnapping and other violent crimes in parts of Kwara State, with security agencies increasingly relying on intelligence-led operations to identify criminal networks and disrupt their sources of funding and logistical support.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would continue to target criminal networks and dismantle the structures supporting their operations.

Adekimi also urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable information that could assist in preventing crime, locating suspects and protecting communities.

The command said the operation was being conducted in line with the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Police said efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping syndicate and bring them before the law.

The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or information that could assist ongoing investigations.

Kwara police arrest suspected kidnapper while withdrawing ransom at POS