Police Bust Suspected Kidnap Syndicate, Recover Rifles and Ammunition in Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered three AK-47 rifles alongside ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Ilorin, the state capital.

The command said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) following credible intelligence and surveillance aimed at preventing a planned coordinated attack within the state.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspects identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were arrested on May 5, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m. within Ilorin metropolis.

She explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly handed over weapons to a female accomplice in a bid to avoid security detection and facilitate the movement of the arms to an operational base for planned criminal activities.

“The suspects, during interrogation, led operatives to a hideout where three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered,” she said.

The police spokesperson disclosed that further investigations indicated that other fleeing members of the syndicate were already moving in small groups towards a convergence point before the operation was disrupted by security operatives.

She added that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of a kidnapping gang operating within and around Kwara State.

“The suspects are currently in police custody and assisting investigators with useful information aimed at apprehending other members of the criminal network and preventing further criminal activities,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.

She noted that the command’s success was in line with the operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Rilwan Disu, which emphasise intelligence-driven policing and proactive crime prevention across the country.

The command further assured residents of its commitment to sustaining security operations aimed at tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.