Armed bandits have kidnapped 10 people in communities in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attacks occurred this week in Ahun and Oro-Ago communities. Six people were abducted in Ahun, while four others were taken in Oro-Ago and nearby Oyate.
Among those kidnapped were a sawmill worker, Clement Emmanuel, and his apprentice, Solomon.
The two men were reportedly seized while cutting trees in Ahun. Two other victims, identified as Adewole and Adebayo, were also abducted while preparing charcoal.
Clement’s wife appealed for help, saying the kidnappers were demanding N10 million for his release.
She said, “Please help plead with them to release my husband. Where will I get N10m?”
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command said it had launched an intelligence-led operation after intercepting information about the criminal group.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said officers discovered that the gang planned to repair and prepare motorcycles for criminal activities.
According to him, “The operation led to the arrest of ten suspects, including a mechanic and a logistics operative supporting the gang.”
Police also recovered ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles believed to have been used by the bandits.
In another operation in Ifelodun LGA, police arrested suspects linked to the kidnapping of construction workers and engineers along Owu Falls Road.
Officers were able to track the suspects after tracing a stolen phone belonging to one of the victims, which helped them locate the group.
Police also arrested a 23-year-old woman, Awawu Maliki Bodo, in connection with the abductions. A revolver and three live cartridges were recovered from her.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing as they continue efforts to arrest other members of the gang.
