The Kwara State Police Command has announced a series of updates in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping, cultism, banditry and other violent crimes, including the rescue of a 26-year-old kidnapped woman whose father, a traditional ruler, was shot while trying to prevent her abduction.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, disclosed the developments while briefing journalists on Friday, detailing several intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, cultists, cattle rustlers and murder suspects across different parts of the state.
According to the police, one of the major cases occurred on July 15, when the Command received a distress call reporting a kidnapping at Wande Community under Ora Kingdom.
Armed hoodlums reportedly invaded the community and abducted Miss Shekinat Mukaila, 26, while her father, the Baale of the community, was shot during an attempt to resist the attackers.
CP Adekimi said police immediately activated tactical and intelligence teams, deploying operatives to the community to secure the crime scene, recover exhibits and launch a comprehensive investigation.
“The injured Baale was promptly evacuated to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), where he received medical attention and has since been discharged,” the police commissioner said.
The investigation led to the arrest of Aliyu Mohammed, who police alleged facilitated the activities of the kidnappers.
Investigators also identified and analysed communication channels used by the criminal syndicate during ransom negotiations, generating critical intelligence that enabled security operatives to intensify targeted operations.
The police said the intelligence-driven operations eventually led to the successful rescue of Shekinat Mukaila without injuries.
According to the Command, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.
In another operation, police operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), working with officers in Patigi, arrested Haruna Rabiu, 30, on July 14, 2026.
The suspect was allegedly apprehended while monitoring an area bordering Landaji and Ndeji forests in the Patigi axis, where he was allegedly preparing for criminal activities.
Police described him as a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to the Auta Ilorin kidnapping network.
During interrogation, Rabiu reportedly provided intelligence concerning the structure, operational methods and membership of the criminal network, including information on affiliated armed groups operating within forest corridors.
Three mobile phones recovered from him are undergoing forensic examination to obtain additional evidence and generate more operational leads.
The police said the intelligence obtained has significantly advanced investigations aimed at dismantling the kidnapping network and arresting other fleeing members.
The Command also announced the arrest of six suspects over the disappearance and murder of Sulaiman Riliwan, 29, who was declared missing after leaving his residence in Offa on July 26, 2026.
Police identified the suspects as: Mohammed Jamiu, 35, Fashola Abdulfatai, 19, Daniel Gideon, 24, Adegoke Oladimeji, 25, Aliyu Yusuf, 26 and Abubakar Ahmed, 55
According to the police, investigations commenced after a report was received on July 28 regarding Riliwan’s disappearance.
Detectives established that Mohammed Jamiu, who had a business relationship with the victim involving cattle, was the last known person to have contact with him before he disappeared.
Police said Jamiu was arrested and later confessed to participating in the crime. His confession reportedly led detectives to an abandoned well located in a bush in Offa, where the victim’s corpse was recovered.
The confession also generated actionable intelligence that resulted in the arrest of five additional suspects believed to have participated in planning and executing the crime.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest another fleeing suspect and recover the firearm allegedly used during the operation.
The police also announced the arrest of three suspected cult members during anti-cultism operations across the state.
Those arrested include: Oluwafemi Bukoye, Isreal Ogungbile, Adesoye Abdulwarith, popularly known as “Wadolee.” According to the Command, Bukoye and Ogungbile were arrested on July 29 by operatives attached to Amoyo Divisional Headquarters, while Abdulwarith was subsequently arrested within the Kwara State Polytechnic community following intelligence-led operations.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted belonging to the Buccaneer Confraternity and made disclosures regarding recent cult clashes and retaliatory killings within the Ilorin metropolis.
Police said the information has enabled investigators to identify additional suspects and locations linked to the criminal network, while follow-up operations continue to apprehend other fleeing members and recover more evidence.
Adekimi said all suspects found culpable in the various investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while intelligence-led operations across Kwara State would continue to target kidnapping, cultism, banditry and other violent crimes.
