Police arrest suspected kidnapper withdrawing ransom at Kwara POS terminal

By Ahmed Olayinka

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction in the state, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was apprehended at a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal while allegedly attempting to cash out ransom money connected to the abduction of three persons in Obudu Village, around the Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation launched by the Command after the victims were abducted during an armed invasion of the community on July 28, 2026.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police expanded their investigation beyond the scene of the attack to trace the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly sustaining the kidnapping operation.

The strategy reportedly led investigators to Sanni, who was intercepted at the POS outlet while allegedly attempting to withdraw the ransom proceeds.

She noted that the Command as saying that intelligence surrounding the ransom transaction was successfully exploited, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

During interrogation, Sanni allegedly cooperated with investigators and provided information concerning his role in the ransom collection process.

He also reportedly identified two other suspects, Aminu and Umar, as alleged members of the syndicate.

The police said the information obtained from Sanni had strengthened their understanding of the kidnapping network and provided additional operational leads currently being pursued.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the Command said the operation was in line with the intelligence-driven and proactive policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the Command remained committed to disrupting criminal networks, weakening their operational capabilities and preventing them from freely operating across the state.

Adekimi also appealed to members of the public to continue providing the police with timely, credible and actionable information to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The Command said it would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting lives and property and ensuring greater security across Kwara State.