Police arrest six suspected kidnappers of Kwara Petrol dealer, manager

Six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to the abduction of a popular petrol dealer, Alhaji Abbas Daniyan, and his manager, Abubakar Issa, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been arrested by the state police command.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, made this known on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ilorin, where he highlighted recent breakthroughs in the fight against criminal elements across the state.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the suspects, identified as Umar Mohammed, Aliyu Usman, Sidi Sagari, Jemo Isah, Shehu Ibrahim and Lawal Umar, were arrested in Gbugbu, a community in Edu LGA, known for its proximity to several border towns and forests used by criminal gangs.

CP Ojo disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence that led officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, in collaboration with local vigilantes, to storm multiple hideouts within the Gbugbu axis where the suspects were apprehended.

According to the police boss, the operation was targeted at apprehending a notorious kidnapping kingpin simply identified as Tambaya, who is still at large. He was reportedly sighted in the area alongside some of his known accomplices before the raid.

Recovered from the suspects during the operation were a locally made shotgun and a dane gun, weapons believed to have been used in their criminal operations.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate responsible for the abduction of Alhaji Abbas Daniyan and Abubakar Issa on May 10, 2025. They admitted to providing operational and logistical support to the main fugitive, Tambaya,” CP Ojo said.

He added that investigations revealed the syndicate had been active along the Kwara–Niger State border, where they specialized in targeting high-value individuals for ransom.

It will be recalled that a ransom of ₦100 million was allegedly paid before the release of the two victims, who were abducted near the Ndeji axis, close to Gbugbu community in Edu LGA.

The Commissioner assured that all six suspects have been profiled and charged to court, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing ringleader and dismantle the remaining network of the gang.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in Kwara State, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and actionable information.