The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a man believed to be a key member of a kidnapping gang operating in parts of the state.
The suspect, Aliu Abubakar, was arrested on Friday, December 3, at the Oro-Ago Motor Park in Ifelodun Local Government Area, following a tip-off from members of the community.
Law enforcement sources said the man first told officers he was on his way to visit a relative, but his story didn’t add up. When officers searched his phone, they found photos of him holding a gun and posing with other armed men. They also found photographs showing wads of cash, which police believe are ransom payments from kidnapped victims.
During interrogation, Abubakar allegedly admitted to participating in several kidnapping operations and said the money seen in the photographs was shared among members of the gang.
In a similar operation, the police also arrested a courier linked to the same gang along Gbugbu-Patigi road and recovered 100 rounds of live ammunition meant for the kidnappers in the forest.
Police said investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.