Kwara Police Arrest Six in Kidnap Case, Recover Rifles and Phones as ₦50 Million Ransom Demand Revealed

Context On April 23, 2026 at 00:30 hours, Isaq J. of Boriya Village reported his abduction to police. The kidnappers had demanded Fifty Million Naira (₦50 000 000) for his release. A coordinated manhunt led to the victim’s release and the arrest of Mohammed Shede on April 30, 2026 at 20:15 hours.

Police identified the gang’s armourer as Abubakar Aliu, with fellow suspects Abu Sonkpia, Saliu Yakubu, Sanni Sakariyau, and two men known only as “Smalley” and “Borugujo.” All suspects originate from Boriya Village in Baruten Local Government Area. Investigators say the group also confessed to an armed robbery against Muhammed Manu from the same community.

Key Facts The ransom demand amounted to exactly ₦50 million. Police recovered two locally manufactured rifles and six mobile phones from the detained suspects. The initial report timestamp was 00:30 on April 23, 2026.

Further arrests followed interrogation: Abubakar Aliu, Abu Sonkpia, Saliu Yakubu, and Sanni Sakariyau were taken into custody after Mohammed Shede confessed to providing information that facilitated the tracking and abduction.

What It Means The arrests demonstrate the police’s capacity to act on intelligence and disrupt a kidnapping network active in Baruten LGA. Ongoing operations target the remaining suspects, including the informants “Smalley” and “Borugujo” and two additional accomplices still at large.

The Kwara State Police Command urges residents to share any credible information that could aid the investigation and help secure the apprehension of the fugitive members.

Watch for further updates on the capture of the fleeing gang members and any forthcoming court proceedings related to the kidnapping and associated armed robbery.