Police arrest suspect while withdrawing ransom in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command says it has disrupted the financial network of a suspected kidnapping syndicate following the arrest of a man allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom paid for three abducted residents.

The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was arrested at a Point of Sale outlet during an intelligence-led operation linked to the July 28 abduction of three residents of Obudu Village in Ilorin East Local Government Area.

Rather than focusing only on locating the suspected kidnappers, investigators reportedly traced the movement of ransom funds and other resources allegedly used by the criminal network.

Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the strategy led operatives to Sanni, who was allegedly intercepted while attempting to withdraw money connected to the kidnapping.

She said the arrest had provided investigators with leads that could help unravel the wider structure of the syndicate.

“During interrogation, Sanni allegedly provided investigators with information about other members of the group, identifying two suspects simply as Aminu and Umar,” she said.

The police said the investigation was being conducted discreetly as operatives analyse and corroborate the information obtained from the suspect before taking further action.

The Command said the arrest represented a breakthrough in efforts to dismantle not only kidnapping gangs but also the financial and logistical networks that facilitate their operations.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the Command would continue to target criminal networks and their support structures.

He urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid the prevention and disruption of criminal activities across the state.