Police Operatives Arrest Suspected Notorious Kidnapper in Kwara

 Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command yesterday arrested a suspected ‘notorious’ kidnapper popularly called ‘Danlolo’ who has been terrorising the residents of the state and parts of Kogi  State recently.

The suspect, Mohammed Bello, according to THISDAY checks, was said to have been the brain behind the reported cases of kidnapping in Omu-Aran, Osi, Patigi and Egbe, Isanlu, and surrounding areas in Kwara and Kogi States respectively.

A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday by the state Police Command which was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that: “The arrest of the suspected kidnapper was made possible following an actionable intelligence received from Egbe, Kogi State, indicating that the suspect had fled to Patigi, Kwara State, to evade arrest.”

The statement read: “The Kwara State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, has successfully arrested a notorious suspected kidnapper, Mohammed Bello, also known as Dandolo.

“This arrest was made possible following an actionable intelligence received from Egbe, Kogi State, indicating that the suspect had fled to Patigi, Kwara State, to evade arrest.

“Mohammed Bello is suspected to be involved in a series of kidnapping operations in Egbe, Isanlu, and surrounding areas in Kogi State.

“Upon receiving the information, the Command immediately deployed a surveillance team to track the suspect’s movements.

“A thorough search of various locations, including hotels in Patigi, was conducted. Eventually, the suspect was apprehended at an undisclosed location.”

It added: “This operation was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Egbe, Kogi State, led by Lieutenant Isah.

“The suspect has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ilorin, for further investigation.

“The suspect, Mohammed Bello, has confessed to several kidnapping incidents along the Omu-aran-Ilofa-Osi-Eruku-Egbe road in Kwara State, and also kidnap incidents on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The CP assured the public that a discreet and thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure that justice is served.”

The Command expressed commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Kwara State and its environs.

It also extended its appreciation to members of the public and other security partners for their cooperation and swift action on this matter.

“We encourage citizens to continue providing timely information to assist in combating crime,” the statement noted.