The Kwara State Police Command has arrested Umar Abubakar, alias 'Manti', suspected leader of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Kwara North. The arrest occurred on June 1, 2026, during a raid by the Violent Crime Response Unit and officers from Okuta Divisional Headquarters in the Tabida area of Baruten Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, police initially apprehended several suspicious persons before identifying Abubakar as the alleged mastermind behind multiple kidnappings and violent crimes in the region.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with fully loaded magazines believed to have been used in criminal operations. Preliminary investigations confirmed Abubakar's role in coordinating the syndicate's activities across affected communities. The police described the breakthrough as a significant disruption to the group's operational capacity.
Abubakar and other suspects are in police custody and cooperating with investigators to identify additional members of the network. Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo praised the professionalism of the officers involved and affirmed that intelligence-led operations have been intensified across strategic locations in Kwara. He assured residents of sustained efforts to protect lives and property. The suspects will be charged to court after investigations conclude.
Umar Abubakar was allegedly coordinating kidnappings in Kwara North while operating under the alias 'Manti', despite ongoing police operations in the area. His arrest on June 1, 2026, raises questions about how long he remained active under that alias without detection. The recovery of two AK-47 rifles suggests the gang had significant firepower to carry out attacks over time. Residents in Baruten and surrounding communities may now reconsider their trust in the effectiveness of prior security measures.
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