Ekiti State Police Command, on Friday, disclosed that its operatives have arrested eight suspected members of a kidnapping cartel involved in the abduction of five pupils, three teachers, and a driver of Apostolic Faith School in the state.
Some gunmen had abducted the nine individuals while they were returning from Eporo-Ekiti a few weeks ago.
They were, however, released last Sunday, after spending six days in the kidnappers’ den.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, while parading the suspects said police received a credible intelligence that some armed men were planning to kidnap expatriates in a dairy farm in Ikun Ekiti.
The spokesperson said the police mobilised to the farm and arrested one Abubakar Aliyu, who was on a mission to spy on the location of the expatriates.
He noted that a member of the group identified as Ayuba was shot dead during a gun duel when policemen were attempting to make an arrest, adding that the phone used to demand ransom for the release of the abducted pupils and teachers had been retrieved.
He said, “After the arrest of Abubakar Aliyu, the leader of the kidnapping gang, identified as one Sumo Karami, sent two vigilante members, one Saliu Ibrahim, and one Umaru Saliu, to secure the bail of the arrested gang member from police custody.
“The two vigilante members were arrested, and they led the RRS operatives to Oro-Ago town, where one Mohammed Bashiru, the leader of Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State, was arrested.
“During interrogation, Bashiru revealed that he is a relative of Sumo Karami, who is the leader of a dreaded kidnapping gang, and that Abubakar Aliyu is one of his gang members who have been terrorising and kidnapping innocent citizens with AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
“Initial investigations revealed that Sumo Karami and his gang members were responsible for the kidnapping of the pupils and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti on 29th January 2024.
“Effort also led to the arrest of two other gang members, namely: Yahaya Jubril and Usman Garba in Owo forest, Ondo State.”