By Correspondent.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) have dismantled a major logistics network responsible for supplying food, fuel, and weapons services to kidnappers operating across Kwara State, arresting several suspects in the process.
Among those apprehended is a man from Makurdi who specialises in repairing and configuring weapons for kidnapping gangs within the state.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists after a Security Council meeting with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Ilorin.
Ojo said the meeting reviewed security intelligence and recent operations carried out in response to the Eruku kidnapping incident, noting that security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victims.
“The meeting harvested insights from security commanders on recent happenings and field intelligence. It also reviewed ongoing efforts to track the kidnappers and secure the safe return of abducted persons,” he said.
According to him, heightened security deployments, particularly air interdiction operations, have dislodged kidnapping camps,especially in the Ifelodun axis,forcing criminals out of their known hideouts.
He added: “The meeting commended the Military, Police, and DSS for the new deployments across the state.
“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed four tactical teams—SWAT, IRT, STS, and SIS—to neutralise further threats in Kwara,”,he said.
Ojo further confirmed the arrest of several suspects who supply essential commodities,including food and fuel,to criminal groups, in addition to the gun technician from Makurdi who confessed to servicing weapons for kidnappers.
He said the meeting also reviewed the state government’s security measures around schools, noting that restrictions may be adjusted based on emerging intelligence, especially in light of the latest security developments in neighbouring Niger State.
“As security agencies intensify efforts for the safe return of abducted girls, the Council calls for sustained vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities across the state,” he added.
The meeting also expressed concern over the harmful role of social media in the fight against violent criminals, especially the reckless sharing of sensitive security information and ransom demands by kidnapoers.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
