Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom money from a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal in Ilorin.
The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was reportedly caught at the Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area while trying to cash out proceeds allegedly linked to the abduction of three persons.
The dramatic arrest followed an intelligence-driven investigation launched after armed kidnappers invaded Obudu Village on July 28, 2026, and abducted three residents.
According to the police, investigators refused to focus solely on the scene of the attack, instead tracing the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly sustaining the kidnapping operation.
The breakthrough eventually came when intelligence operatives tracked the ransom transaction to a POS terminal, where Sanni was allegedly intercepted while attempting to withdraw the money.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, through the command’s X handle.
The police said Sanni subsequently made useful disclosures during interrogation and provided information about other alleged members of the syndicate.
“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily cooperated with investigators and made useful disclosures concerning his role in the ransom collection process,” the statement said.
According to the command, Sanni also mentioned two other suspects identified only as Aminu and Umar, providing investigators with additional leads in the ongoing operation.
The police said the information has helped strengthen its understanding of the alleged kidnapping network and is being used to track down other members of the syndicate.
The command said the arrest was part of its sustained intelligence-led offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, also assured residents that the command would continue to target not only kidnappers but also the support networks that facilitate their operations.
The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in dismantling criminal networks.
The police said the operation remains ongoing as efforts are intensified to apprehend the other suspects allegedly linked to the syndicate.
