P.M.EXPRESS reports that the alleged kidnap kingpin, Baguda, with two members of his gang were arrested with arms and ammunition during the operation.
This was disclosed by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Odama, who stated that one Bashiru Yakuba and Mohammed Umaru led by Baguda, operated in Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara States.
The Police boss said that on 9th November, 2022, one Shina Abiodun and one other, while riding on a motorcycle on their way from Egbe in Kogi, were accosted at Koro village close to Eruku town by men numbering about six, who emerged from the bush armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.The hoodlums opened fire on them and they sustained gunshot injuries.
“They however, escaped the attack and ran to the Anti-Kidnapping patrol team stationed at Eruku town. The team moved to the scene and one Tecno phone was recovered.
Forensic analysis of the phone by the investigators led to the arrest of the kingpin and two of his gang members in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on 20th December, 2022.”
“The suspects confessed during interrogation to have been responsible for kidnapping operations within Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara respectively.
“Two locally made guns and two telephone handsets were recovered from them.
“One of their victims and his 6-year old son came from Ekiti State to identify and confirmed that they were kidnapped and held captive for six days by the suspects and were released after payment of N6 million.”
“The suspects also confessed to have also killed one Inspector Segun Ayegbulu of the NSCDC attached to Ekiti Command.
Efforts are also ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang and recovery of the remaining firearms in their possession,” he said.