The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, including a man allegedly caught wearing a hijab and carrying charms in Ilorin.
The suspect, identified as Aliyu Isiaka, was arrested by Forest Guards at Okolowo, Ilorin, around 6pm on October 24, 2026.
The command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying Isiaka was intercepted in female attire with a polythene bag containing assorted charms.
According to the police, Isiaka allegedly confessed to belonging to a nine-man kidnapping gang led by a suspect identified as Juli, who is currently at large.
He reportedly told investigators that he joined the gang in August 2026 and participated in three kidnapping operations in Oloru, Alapa and Malete, where ransom payments were allegedly collected.
The police said a joint team of officers and Forest Guards raided the gang’s suspected hideout on October 25, arresting two additional suspects identified only as Seriki and Jebrin.
The three suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, while the police said they would be arraigned after the investigation is concluded.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the arrests marked a step towards dismantling kidnapping networks and improving security in vulnerable communities across the state. He also pledged to sustain intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
