Six suspects allegedly involved in the recent kidnappings of a petrol dealer, Alhaji Abbas Daniyan, and his manager, Abubakar Issa, in the Lafiagi area of Edu Local Government of Kwara State have been arrested.
DAILY POST recalls that a N100 million ransom was reportedly collected before the release of the two victims by their abductors.
Abbas Daniyan, owner of Daniyan Saba Petroleum filling station, Ndeji community, and his manager, Abubakar Issa, were abducted on May 10, 2025, at the Ndeji axis close to Gbugbu community in Edu Local Government Area.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, announced on Friday at a press briefing the breakthroughs recorded by the state police command in the onslaught against criminals in the state.
The suspects are Umar Mohammed, Aliyu Usman, Sidi Sagari, Jemo Isah, Shehu Ibrahim, and Lawal Umar.
According to the police commissioner, “On June 8, 2025, at about 1100 hours, Kwara State Police Command received credible intelligence from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Lafiagi, in Edu Local Government, indicating that a notorious kidnap ringleader, identified as one Tambaya (now at large), was sighted at the Gbugbu axis in the company of known accomplices.
“Tambaya had earlier been declared wanted in connection with the kidnapping of two victims, Alhaji Abbas Daniyan and Abubakar Issa, whose cases were still under investigation.
“Acting on the vital intelligence, the officer in charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Ilorin, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, swiftly mobilized to the area in an operation which resulted in the arrest of the six male suspects at different hideouts within the Gbugbu community.”
Ojo revealed that a locally made shotgun and a dane gun were recovered at the scene, further linking the suspects to ongoing firearms trafficking and kidnapping operations in the area.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate specializing in targeted abductions for ransom, particularly across border towns between Kwara and Niger States.
“Preliminary findings also suggest that they provided logistical and operational support to the now fugitive mastermind, Tambaya,” he added.
The police commissioner said all six suspects were duly profiled and have since been charged to court, as investigations continue to track down the fleeing ringleader and other members of the network.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat the rampant abduction crisis plaguing the region.
Residents and community leaders have consistently called for decisive action from law enforcement agencies to curb the spate of violent crimes in the area.
