Suspected kidnapper arrested while attempting to withdraw ransom at POS terminal in Kwara

‎The Kwara State Police has arrested a member of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating around the Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 said the suspect identified as Muhamodu Sanni was arrested at Point-of-Sale (POS) location while allegedly attempting to cash out ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction.

According to the PPRO, the arrest followed intelligence gathering by the operatives after three persons were abducted during an armed invasion of Obudu Village on July 28, 2026.

“‎The sustained offensive of the Kwara State Police Command against kidnapping has recorded another significant breakthrough, as intelligence-led operations successfully penetrated the support structure of a kidnapping syndicate operating around Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area, culminating in the arrest of Muhamodu Sanni while allegedly attempting to cash out ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction,” the statement read. 

“‎The breakthrough followed the activation of the Command’s intelligence and tactical architecture after three persons were abducted during an armed invasion of Obudu Village on 28th July, 2026. 

“Rather than limit operational efforts to the immediate scene of the attack, investigators widened the scope of investigation to the communication, logistics and financial channels sustaining the criminal operation.

“‎This strategy yielded results when intelligence surrounding the ransom transaction was successfully exploited, leading operatives to Muhamodu Sanni, who was intercepted at a Point-of-Sale (POS) location while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds connected with the abduction.

“‎During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily cooperated with investigators and made useful disclosures concerning his role in the ransom collection process. 

“He also provided information regarding other members of the syndicate, including two suspects identified as Aminu and Umar. 

“The disclosures have further strengthened the intelligence picture of the network and provided additional operational leads that are being discreetly exploited.

“‎In line with the intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, psc, mnips, reassures residents that the Command remains operationally positioned to disrupt criminal networks, degrade their capabilities and deny them freedom of action, while urging members of the public to sustain their support through timely, credible and actionable information.”