Police Nab Kidnappers Using Woman to Move Rifles in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has uncovered an alleged plot by suspected kidnappers who reportedly used a female accomplice to transport rifles and ammunition ahead of planned criminal operations in the state.

The command said the operation was foiled after the arrest of two suspects in Ilorin, the state capital, leading to the recovery of firearms and live ammunition.

The suspects, identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were apprehended following intelligence gathering and surveillance by security operatives.

Spokesperson of the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed that investigations revealed the suspects allegedly handed over weapons to a female accomplice in an attempt to evade security checks while moving the arms to a designated location.

According to the police, the suspects later led investigators to a hideout where three AK-47 rifles, five magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.

“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly led operatives to a hideout where three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered,” the police spokesperson stated.

The command further disclosed that members of the syndicate were allegedly moving in small groups toward a convergence point before the planned operation was disrupted through intelligence-led policing.

Police authorities said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects belonged to a kidnapping network operating within and around Kwara State.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate currently operating within and around the state,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the group and dismantle the criminal network.

The suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with further information, while arrangements are being made to prosecute them after the conclusion of investigations.

The latest development comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crimes in parts of the North-Central region.