The Kwara State Police Command has revealed how suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly used a female accomplice to transport rifles and ammunition as part of plans to execute coordinated criminal attacks within the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who disclosed this in a statement over the weekend said that the plot was foiled following the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, magazines, and live ammunition in Ilorin, the state capital.
The suspects identified as Adamu Ibrahim, 30, and Sani Musa, 29, were reportedly nabbed after credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.
Ejire-Adeyemi said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, in a bid to evade security detection, allegedly handed over their weapons to a female accomplice for onward movement to an agreed operational location where the planned criminal activities were to be carried out.
“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly led operatives to a hideout where three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines and 143 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered,” the PPRO said.
The police further disclosed that the suspects and other fleeing members of the syndicate were allegedly moving in small groups toward a designated convergence point before the planned operation was disrupted through intelligence-led policing.
“The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate currently operating within and around the state,” she added.
The command said the suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with information aimed at tracking down other members of the criminal network and preventing further criminal activities.
It added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.