Ekiti State, February 15, 2024 – The Ekiti State Police Command announced on Friday the arrest of eight individuals believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of five pupils, three teachers, and a driver from Apostolic Faith School in the state.
The abduction occurred while the victims were returning from Eporo-Ekiti several weeks ago. Fortunately, they were released last Sunday after spending six days in captivity.
According to Abutu Sunday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, the arrests came following credible intelligence suggesting that armed men were planning to kidnap expatriates at a dairy farm in Ikun Ekiti.
During a police operation at the farm, one suspect, Abubakar Aliyu, was apprehended while attempting to spy on the expatriates’ location. A member of the group, identified as Ayuba, was killed in a shootout with the police during the arrest. Additionally, the phone used for ransom demands in the school abduction case was recovered.
“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,” stated Abutu Sunday.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Mohammed Bashiru, the leader of the Miyetti Allah vigilante in Oro-Ago, Kwara State. Bashiru disclosed his relationship to Sumo Karami and revealed details about the gang’s operations.
Initial findings implicated Sumo Karami and his accomplices in the January 29, 2024, kidnapping incident in Emure-Ekiti. Efforts also led to the arrest of two other gang members, Yahaya Jubril and Usman Garba, in Owo Forest, Ondo State.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and organised crime in Ekiti State. The police command assured the public of continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of residents across the state.
