Ekiti Police Apprehend Eight Suspected Kidnappers of Emure-Ekiti School Pupils

The Ekiti State Police Command has successfully arrested eight members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for the recent abduction of school children and teachers in Emure, Ekiti State.

The suspects were paraded on Friday evening, with Police spokesperson Sunday Abutu attributing the success to the relentless efforts of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). During the operation, an exchange of gunfire occurred, resulting in the demise of one suspect.

Items seized from the suspects included an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun with live cartridges, various ammunition, face masks, hand gloves, multiple handsets, a National ID Card belonging to Salisu Mohammed, and several SIM cards.

Mr. Abutu highlighted the ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal elements in the state, referencing recent incidents such as the killing of two traditional rulers in Ikole-Ekiti and the Emure-Ekiti school kidnapping. The RRS investigation and operation led to the arrest of the eight-member syndicate and the neutralization of one suspect.

The police spokesperson detailed the sequence of events, including a tip-off about armed men planning to kidnap expatriates in Eda-Oniyo-Ekiti. Abubakar Aliyu, a spy for the gang, was apprehended, leading to further arrests of vigilante members and the revelation of the gang leader, Sumo Karami.

Mohammed Bashiru, identified as the leader of Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State, was also arrested during the operation. Bashiru disclosed his relation to Sumo Karami and his involvement in the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Emure-Ekiti.

The recovered phone used for ransom demands led to the arrest of two additional gang members, Yahaya Jubril and Usman Garba, in Owo forest, Ondo State. Subsequent investigations resulted in the capture of Kenneth Ugwu in Ibadan, Oyo State, who confessed to being part of the syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, including the recent Emure-Ekiti incident.

The police disclosed that the syndicate was involved in high-profile kidnappings, including the abduction of the APC chairman, Ekiti State, Paul Omotosho, and the kidnapping of Mr. and Mrs. Awoniyi earlier this year.