3 Kidnappers dead, Nine ensnared by Police in Kwara

Esther David

 

Three members of a kidnapping gang and suspected cattle rustlers in Kwara State have been killed in a gun battle with officers of the State Police command on Sunday in Bode Sadu community, Moro local government area of the state.

 

During this incident, some of the suspected kidnappers were arrested while others killed.

 

The arrested victims were identified as Bala Idris, Hasan Idris, and Baso Idris, while three locally made guns and ten cartridges were recovered after an exchange of gunfire with the police, Vigilantes and local hunters.

 

Two other suspects who were also arrested are, Lagi Bala and Iliasu Idris.

 

During a press briefing in Ilorin on Monday, state Commissioner of Police, Paul Odama, revealed that:

 

“On the 22/1/2023 at about 0900HRS an intelligence available to the Divisional Police Officer, Bode Sadu to the effect that suspected kidnappers were in the bush along Balogun area, Bode Saadu in preparation to strike.

 

“The DPO Mobilized Vigilantes, hunters and police men, stormed the bush and they engaged the kidnappers, during exchange of gun-fire, three of the kidnappers were neutralized while two suspects Lagi Bala “M” and Iliasu Idris “M” were arrested with 3 locally made guns.”

 

The police Commissioner furthered that the arrested suspects confessed to be kidnappers and cattle rustlers.

 

“They also confessed to be responsible for the series of kidnapping cases in Malete and Shao area of Kwara State.

 

“Investigation is ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the kidnapping gang, while the two arrested suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, he added.

 

Also, according to the commissioner, he said, “On 21/1/2023 at about 1400HRS, the divisional police officer of Eiyenkorin Division, in collaboration with vigilante and local hunters in carrying out the directive of the commissioner of police regarding a zero tolerance for kidnapping, stormed the Eyenkorin thick forest to search the hide-outs of kidnappers.”

 

Paul Odama disclosed that in the shooting encounter with the suspected kidnappers sighted in the bush, some suspects escaped with bullet injuries, while some were arrested.

 

At about 1600HRS of 21/01/2023, information was received that one suspected Fulani man was seen with bullet wounds inside the bush within Eyenkorin.”

 

He said policemen traced and arrested the suspect, during interrogation the suspect confessed to be a member of a kidnap syndicate that specializes in kidnapping people around Eyenkorin-Oko-olowo axis.

 

“He mentioned one Alhaji Anta now at large as the leader of the gang, while five other suspects arrested included Buga Ali “M” ,Suleiman ISSAH ‘M’ ( 20YRS), AMINU BELLO ‘M’, SULEMAN BILIYAH ‘M’ (21) and YAHAHA ADAM ‘M’ (20) who will all be charged to court as soon as investigation is over.”

 

He further revealed that in another successful operation around Eyenkorin-Oko-olowo axis, based on an actionable intelligence, two more kidnappers by name Yau Alhaji Anta and Idris Alhaji Auta were arrested.

 

Paul Odama said the suspects confessed to be responsible for the kidnap of the two kidnapped victims in Oluwalose community, Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin, one Alhaji Tunde Buhari and one Muhammed Mecho.

 

When brought together, the Victim identified one of the suspects as one of his abductors and the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigation.

 

Paul Odama, warned would-be criminals of whatever nomenclature that the command is all out to see that they are rounded up and sent to where they belong.

 

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