Kwara: Police parade kidnappers’ spy, debunk claims of 176 hostages

The Kwara state police command on Friday paraded 30-year-old Haruna Rabiu, said to be a member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating as spy for kidnappers within the forests bordering Landaji and Ndeji in Patigi axis of Kwara State.

The suspect according to the police was apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with Police operatives in Patigi during a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out in the area on 14th July, 2026.

Parading the suspects during a news briefing in Ilorin, the commissioner of police in charge of Kwara state, CP Adekimi Ojo, said “the suspect was apprehended by undercover operatives while allegedly monitoring the area in preparation for criminal activities and is believed to be associated with the notorious Auta Ilorin kidnapping network.

“During preliminary interrogation, he provided useful intelligence regarding the activities, structure, and operational pattern of the criminal syndicate, as well as information on other suspected members and affiliated armed groups operating within the forest corridors.

“Additionally, three mobile phones recovered from the suspect are currently undergoing forensic examination to validate and expand the intelligence already obtained, with the findings providing further investigative leads that are being exploited in ongoing tactical operations aimed at apprehending other members of the syndicate and dismantling the network.

“The intelligence gathered from the suspect has significantly advanced ongoing investigations and is currently being exploited through follow-up tactical operations aimed at apprehending other fleeing members of the syndicate, identifying their collaborators, and dismantling their operational network”.

The command also dismissed viral vedio claiming that 176 victims of bandits attacks on Woru and Nku communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state were still being held hostage since Feburary when the attackers invaded the comunities.

The police dismissal came amidst fresh threats by the bandits to kill all the hostages should their demands were not met.

But the state commissioner of police while responding to quetions from reporters said the viral video claiming that 176 persons were in the kidnappers’ den was orchestrated by the kidnappers themselves.

“I dont know the sources of that number because this number did not emanate from any of the security forces . I cannot confirm that number.

“Concerted efforts are being made to get whoever that is in the hands of bandits released Even if it is one pearson that is in the hands

“Even if it is one person that is in the hands of the kidnappers, we cannot rest until that person regain his freedom,”he said.

The police commissioner said since the release of vedio by the bandits, locals in Kaiama have only identified about 10 persons from the the vedio.

He said the police is collaborating with other security forces to rescue the victims.