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

FRSC Zone RS 8 Benefits from Corps Marshal’s Repositioned Training Initiative

As part of a sweeping nationwide push to overhaul frontline operations, non-commissioned officers under the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Zone RS 8—comprising Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara states—have undergone an intensive professional repositioning training.

The programme, hosted at the zonal headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State, is a core component of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed’s broader strategy to elevate service delivery, discipline, and operational efficiency across the agency.

Retired Deputy Corps Marshal Joshua Fanola facilitated the session, while Assistant Corps Marshal Ann Oladayo, the Zonal Commanding Officer, delivered the official address.

Themed “Repositioning Marshals for Effective Service Delivery,” the training directly supports the Corps’ 2026 Corporate Strategic Goals. These goals prioritize operational excellence, institutional integrity, digital transformation, and a measurable reduction in road traffic crashes nationwide.

Building Frontline Competence

Emphasizing that Marshals are the most visible face of the agency, Corps Marshal Mohammed noted that public confidence in the FRSC hinges directly on their conduct and competence.

The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of critical areas, including:

* The FRSC Establishment Act and core operational procedures

* Advanced traffic management and emergency response protocols

* Ethical conduct, emotional intelligence, and effective public engagement

Nationwide Rollout

The capacity-building initiative is currently being rolled out in phases across all 12 FRSC zonal commands.

The initial phase successfully covered RS1HQ Kaduna and RS5HQ Benin between July 29 and 30, 2026, with subsequent phases expanding to the remaining zones.

Addressing the participants, Mohammed urged them to approach the program with commitment, stressing that the insights gained must translate into sharper patrol operations, better respect for human rights, and more proactive emergency responses.

He also instructed facilitators to keep sessions practical, interactive, and tailored to modern operational challenges.

Commending the FRSC Training Department for coordinating the initiative, Mohammed reaffirmed that continuous staff development remains a top priority of his administration.

Facilitator Joshua Fanola noted that the exercise is specifically designed to foster a more courteous, approachable, and professional demeanor among road marshals.

Participating officers expressed strong optimism that the training will significantly sharpen their competence and field effectiveness.

Jezco Chairman’s Abductors Raise Ransom Demand from N700m to N1.5bn

The kidnappers of the Chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly raised their ransom demand from N700 million to N1.5 billion, barely a week after the septuagenarian businessman was abducted in Anambra State.

A source close to the family disclosed that the abductors had initially demanded N700 million and established contact with the victim’s relatives.

According to the source, the family, desperate to secure Ezeokafor’s safe release, had indicated its willingness to meet the initial demand as part of negotiations with the kidnappers.

The abductors, however, were said to have subsequently increased the ransom to N1.5 billion.

The source said the family remained willing to negotiate, but expressed concern that the kidnappers had since stopped communicating with them.

Efforts by the family to re-establish contact with the abductors were reportedly unsuccessful, leaving the relatives in an increasingly difficult situation.

Ezeokafor, a prominent businessman in Anambra State, was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday, when he reportedly left his residence at about 2am for a prayer ground as part of his annual spiritual retreat.

Sources said the businessman had left his security details behind when he stepped out of his home, allegedly giving the kidnappers an opportunity to seize him.

The incident has continued to generate concern among residents and business stakeholders in the state, particularly against the backdrop of the growing threat of kidnapping.

One week after the abduction, the Anambra State Police Command and the state government have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The police command has also not publicly confirmed the reported ransom demand or provided details on efforts to secure the businessman’s release.