Police nab kidnap kingpin, recover two AK-47 rifles in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command, through its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), has recorded a major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the State.

According to a statement issued and signed by Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer, on June 1, 2026, operatives attached to the Okuta Divisional Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended a group of suspicious individuals believed to be involved in criminal activities during a routine raid in the Tabida area of Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area.

Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for detailed investigation and profiling.

“Preliminary investigations led to the identification of one Umar Abubakar, popularly known as ‘Manti’, as the alleged leader of a kidnapping syndicate suspected to be responsible for a series of kidnapping incidents and other violent crimes in parts of Kwara North Senatorial District, particularly within Okuta, Ilesha-Baruba, Tabida/Taberu, and adjoining communities.

“Further intelligence-driven investigations resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with fully loaded magazines, believed to have been used by the criminal gang in carrying out its operations. This recovery represents a significant disruption of the syndicate’s operational capacity and marks a major step toward enhancing security and restoring public confidence in the affected communities”, she explained.

The suspects are said to be currently in police custody and are providing useful information to investigators, which is expected to assist in identifying and apprehending other members of the criminal network, adding that efforts are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and ensure that all those connected to the crimes are brought to justice.

Adekimi Ojo, the State Commissioner of Police, commended the professionalism, resilience, and operational efficiency of officers and men of the Violent Crime Response Unit, as well as other supporting formations whose collaborative efforts contributed to the successful operation.

The Command further assures residents that intelligence-led operations have been intensified across strategic locations within the state, with all available resources being deployed to safeguard lives and property.

“The suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations”, it stated.