Kwara state Police Command has arrested one of the suspects that kidnapped the wife of former Military Administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Magistrate Jumoke Bamigboye along Eiyenkorin axis of Ilorin metropolis.
Parading the suspects at the police command headquarters in Ilorin on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Paul Odama disclosed that the command arrested twenty-two other suspects and recovered charms and arms.
He said Abubakar Shehu, aka Dogo, the leader of the suspected kidnappers of the Magistrate was arrested on 05/03/2023 at about 2100hours by a combined team of vigilante and police anti-kidnapping team along Eiyenkorin axis following an intelligence received on activities of the suspect in the area.
He identified other members of the five-man gang led by Dogo as Mohammed Aliyu, Yunusa Ahmadu, Malami Usman and Dauda Amosa.
The commissioner further disclosed that investigation into the case revealed that Abubakar Shehu, aka Dogo and his gang were the kidnappers who abducted one Alhaji Madaki Shaibu at Aiyegun Fulani camp in January 2023 and killed his son in the process.
Paul Odama said police operatives attached to Banni Division, also arrested another gang of five kidnappers in conjunction with local vigilantes in the Banni forest used as their abode.
He said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to be kidnappers, adding that two of their members Bayo Dudu and Aliyu Abubakar are residents of Niger State.
The commissioner noted that effort was ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the kidnap gang.
Odama explained that the other suspects were arrested for alleged offences of being members of secret cults, attempt to commit culpable homicide and belonging to a gang of thieves.
They were arrested on 11/04/2023 based on intelligence that some suspected ritualists were seen gathered at an isolated hotel in Malete town, Moro Local Government Area of the state.
He said various incriminating items, including local pots with concoction, natural sponges and smart phones were recovered from the suspects who confessed to be internet fraudsters, “but the command is investigating them for ritual activities.”
Odama said all the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.