Kwara CP Adekimi Ojo: Informants, Youth Recruitment Fuel Rising Kidnappings in Kwara

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has revealed that the surge in kidnapping cases across the state is being fueled by the activities of informants and the recruitment of young boys by criminal gangs with financial inducements.

Speaking during a press briefing in Ilorin on Friday, the commissioner said the command is intensifying efforts to eliminate the menace and restore public confidence in security operations.

“About kidnappers recruiting people — yes, definitely, they entice them. They have cheap money to give. That’s what they do. They promise, they give, they entice them,” Ojo explained. “We discovered that most of the problems security agents have in Kwara is that there are too many informants for the kidnappers. But we are not relenting. We will fight them to a standstill, and I want to plead with everyone to be security conscious now.”

The police boss lamented that families of abducted victims often fail to report incidents to the police due to threats from kidnappers, preferring instead to pay ransoms secretly.

“The problem is that when your ward is in the hands of kidnappers, they threaten to kill the victim if you inform the police. So many people choose to quietly pay ransom instead of reporting. That’s why we are encouraging people to speak out,” he added.

Ojo commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent support in tackling insecurity in the state, describing the governor’s intervention as “relentless and commendable.”

Providing updates on recent cases, the commissioner said six suspects had been arrested in connection with the deadly invasion of Oke-Ode, where 12 people and a village head were killed.

He also disclosed that one Sanni Gbadamosi, who allegedly arranged the abduction of his cousin in Ajase-Ipo and demanded ₦120,000 ransom, was tracked to Kano using advanced police digital tools.

Additionally, Ojo reported that a motorcycle mechanic, Muhammadu Jalo, from Bode Sadu, was arrested after allegedly beheading his customer during an argument.

In another case, 15-year-old Falade Ebenezer is in police custody for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl on her way home from school.

The commissioner noted that residents who fled communities affected by recent violence — including Oke-Ode and Babanla — have begun returning home due to reinforced security measures.

“Today is market day in Oke-Ode, and it was full. A whole brigade is on ground, so people have started returning to their homes. Everyone is now vigilant — I even learnt someone was arrested in the market today because people suspected his movements,” he said.

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