Three suspected kidnappers who allegedly posed as bicycle riders to discreetly monitor and abduct residents have been arrested in Kwara State.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Ilorin South Local Government Council’s Security Initiative at Abelu, along the Idofian axis, on Friday, following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. The axis has reportedly experienced a surge in criminal activities in recent months.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the security team mobilized after receiving credible intelligence and raided the suspects’ hideout, where they were taken into custody without resistance. A bicycle believed to have been used by the suspects to conceal their true intentions and facilitate surveillance was also recovered during the operation.
The suspects are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.
Authorities suspect that they belong to a broader criminal network linked to a series of kidnappings in the area. The bicycle served as a cover for the gang to blend into communities while selecting targets for abduction.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Ilorin South Local Government Council, Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo, confirmed the arrests and said the trio had been transferred to the Kwara State Police Command for further investigation.
“We have just concluded the official handover of the suspects to the Commissioner of Police at the state command headquarters,” he said on Saturday evening. “Our security team has been tracking them for days following credible intelligence that linked them to several recent kidnapping incidents.”
Podo expressed deep concern over the tactics employed by the suspects, including using a single bicycle to avoid drawing suspicion while casing neighbourhoods.
“They posed as harmless cyclists, three men on a single bicycle, scouting for potential victims. This made it extremely difficult for residents to detect their true intentions. But thank God our vigilance and swift response led to this breakthrough,” he noted.
He commended the security team for their proactive efforts, describing the arrests as a major milestone in the council’s ongoing efforts to improve grassroots security and protect residents.
“This is a direct result of our renewed focus on supporting local security networks and promoting community vigilance,” Podo added.
He urged residents to remain alert and promptly report suspicious persons or activity in their communities, assuring them that the council would continue to invest in security infrastructure and partnerships to prevent future incidents.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the arrests on Saturday night, stating that the suspects were in custody and revealed that one of them was wearing camouflage at the time of their apprehension.
“The suspects have been handed over to us. One of them was dressed in military-style camouflage. Investigation is underway to determine the full scope of their activities,” the police commissioner stated.
Three suspected kidnappers disguised as cyclists arrested in Kwara
