Local hunters, vigilantes arrest 10 suspected kidnappers in Kwara

A combined team of vigilantes and local hunters have arrested ten suspected kidnappers terrorizing Ekiti local government area of Kwara state

According to a statement credited to the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the suspects were arrested following a raid of their hideout in a forest where they keep their victims.

The area has lately become notorious for kidnapping activities, with some of the victims found dead even after payment of ransom.

The statement added that the suspects had been transferred to the state Police headquarters Ilorin.

Some of the dangerous weapons allegedly recovered from them include guns, knives and cutlasses among other weapons they used to perpetrate their crime.

The Kwara State Vigilante Commander, Alhaji Saka Ibrahim, confirmed the incident during a telephone chat with Daily Trust.

“Seven were arrested on Tuesday while three were nabbed on Wednesday. But our men are still combing the bush. We will hand them over to the police when the come out of the forest.” he said.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Okasanmi Ajayi, who confirmed the development, said that the suspects are currently being held at the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kwara State Police Command, Ilorin.

The PPRO also said that the suspected kidnappers, whose identities resembled Fulani in the picture that accompanied the state government’s statement, added that they are undergoing interrogation to ascertain if they are kidnappers.

“The suspects are currently with the anti-kidnapping unit of the command, but we can’t say they are kidnappers because they are under interrogation and it has not been established that they are kidnappers,” he said.

Meanwhile, members of the Vigilance group have continued routine combing of communities in the Ekiti local government area in the Kwara South senatorial district.

The exercise is supported by the state government.

“It began over the weekend and comprises dozens of vigilante and local hunters who would work with local authorities to rid the areas of any criminal gang.”

Also, as part of its efforts to prevent criminal elements from gaining a stronghold in the state, Kwara State Joint Security Task Force has begun a fresh round of operations in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of the state to further beef up security in the state.

The Task Force comprises operatives from various security agencies, including the military, police, and other agencies.

The show of force, an initiative of the state government, has seen the security operatives combing communities in the local government to flush out criminal elements who may want to hibernate in the area.

The security team has so far patrolled Kanikoko, Gegeji, Kokobigbe, Duse Dogo, Sabi Fili, Tunga Yakubu, Grichangi, Woro, and Venra.

Other communities being patrolled are Gweria, Moshegada, Aboki, Gugiji, Nanu, Jonbiga, Karonji, Gwentte, Chikanda, the border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic, Yashikira, Gure, Shinatoko, Kuburufu, Yanri, and Kosubosu, among others.

The security team enjoined the people of the area not to allow strange people to hibernate in their communities, urging them to report any strange movement for the safety of lives and property in the axis of the state.

The security operatives also urged members of the vigilance team and communities folks not to accommodate any criminal elements in the area.