The Kwara State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of several firearms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Ilorin, the state capital.
Police authorities said the operation successfully disrupted what investigators described as a planned criminal attack by members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating within and around the state.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) carried out the operation on May 5 at about 7:30 p.m.
The statement explained that officers tracked and arrested the suspects within Ilorin metropolis following intelligence reports linking them to criminal activities.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly attempted to avoid security detection by transferring weapons to a female accomplice for transportation to a designated operational location.
Police said the arms were meant to be delivered to other members of the syndicate ahead of a planned operation.
During interrogation, the arrested suspects reportedly led security operatives to a hideout where a cache of weapons was discovered.
Items recovered by the police included three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Investigators further uncovered that other members of the syndicate, who are currently on the run, had allegedly planned to move in smaller groups to a convergence point before launching coordinated criminal activities.
However, the planned operation was reportedly disrupted through timely intelligence gathering and swift police intervention.
“The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate currently operating within and around the state,” the police statement said.
Authorities added that the suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with information aimed at tracking down other fleeing members of the criminal network.
The police also stated that efforts are ongoing to prevent additional attacks and dismantle the entire syndicate.
According to the command, the suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The latest operation comes amid increasing security efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat kidnapping and organised crime across several parts of the country.
