Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds at a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal in Ilorin East Local Government Area.
Sanni was apprehended around the Obudu/Woru axis following intelligence gathered during investigations into the abduction of three persons from Obudu Village on July 28, 2026.
The development was disclosed on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement posted on the command’s X handle.
According to the police, the arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation launched after armed men invaded Obudu Village and abducted three persons.
Rather than focus solely on the immediate circumstances of the abduction, investigators expanded their probe to the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly supporting the kidnapping operation.
The approach eventually led operatives to the ransom transaction, resulting in Sanni’s interception at a POS location where he was allegedly attempting to cash out proceeds linked to the recent abduction.
The command said the arrest represented a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to dismantle the support structures behind kidnapping operations in the state.
During interrogation, Sanni allegedly cooperated with investigators and provided information about his role in the collection of ransom.
He also reportedly identified two other suspected members of the syndicate as Aminu and Umar.
The police said the information obtained from Sanni had strengthened its intelligence picture of the alleged kidnapping network and provided additional leads for ongoing operations.
The command said the new leads were being discreetly exploited as efforts continued to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The police assured residents that operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes would be sustained, with intelligence gathering and tactical operations being deployed to disrupt criminal networks and bring their members to justice.