Police Arrest 44 Suspects, Recover Ammunition, N2.7m Ransom

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 44 suspected criminals for offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms in the last month.

The police under the period under review also recovered exhibits such as a mutilated human body, arms and ammunition, and N2.7m ransom money.

The state commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed these while addressing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Ilorin yesterday.

Ojo said that the arrested suspects include kidnappers, fraudsters, armed robbers, ritualists, thieves, and those arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

He said that recovered items from the suspects include dane gun, two empty shells of AK-47 rifle, one live ammunition, forged documents and incriminating items, one colour Airpod, three New Age 33,000mAh power banks, one 44,000mAh New Age power bank, five Oraimo 30,000mAh power banks, one Toyota Camry (pencil) car, one locally made barrel pistol, including cash sum of N2,700,000.00k, suspected to be part of kidnap ransom.

He attributed the breakthroughs in August to discreet investigations, timely intelligence gathering, and swift tactical operations.

He added that the successes resulted from a collective effort by the Police, state residents, and the media.

In one of the cases, Adeola Badru, a male, was accused of defrauding Joseph Olugbenga of N300 million with forged documents and incriminating items. He assured his victim that he could assist in securing any federal government political appointment of the victim’s choice.

“On 30/06/2025, a case of criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence was reported through a petition written by Joseph Olugbenga ‘Male’ of Gaa-Odota, Ilorin, Kwara state.

“He reported that sometime in February 2023, the suspect, Mr. Adeola Badru, approached and introduced himself to the complainant, Mr. Joseph Olugbenga. The suspect claimed to be a seasoned politician with a very influential personality and direct access to many top politicians in Nigeria. He was further assured that he could assist the complainant in securing any federal government political appointment of his choice.

“Based on trust, the complainant released, in tranches, the sum of N300,000,000.00 to the suspect, believing his promise to facilitate the appointment as a South West Development Commission member.

“Subsequently, the suspect blocked all communication channels, preventing the complainant from reaching him. Upon receipt of the petition, operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) swung into action and traced the suspect to his hideout in Ibadan, Oyo state, where he was arrested.

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily admitted to the crime. The Command is carrying out further investigation, and at the conclusion of our findings, the suspect will be duly charged in court,” Ojo said.