Kwara Police React as Child Kidnapper Claims He Can’t Recall Number of Victims Taken from Ilorin

A man in his twenties, suspected of being part of a child kidnapping ring, has confessed that he cannot remember how many children his group had abducted in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

Mob Almost Lynches Suspect

The suspect, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was apprehended on Friday in Ilorin. Before police arrived, an angry mob had begun attacking him, and he sustained multiple injuries to his face and body. He was saved from a potential lynching by a police patrol team.

In a widely circulated video, the bruised suspect admitted to being part of a syndicate that abducted children for ritual purposes. He stated that he had received N10 million from the gang leader to carry out kidnappings and disclosed that the leader resides in Dagbolu, a suburb of Osogbo in Osun State. He also mentioned the names of other gang members during the interrogation.

Police React to Viral Video

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Adetoun, confirmed in a statement that the suspect is now in custody and undergoing interrogation.

SP Adetoun also cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands. She emphasized that mob action and jungle justice are illegal and can result in miscarriages of justice. “We urge citizens to report suspicious behavior to the nearest police station instead of resorting to violence,” she said.

Official Police Account

According to the command’s statement, the suspect was arrested around 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, during a routine patrol conducted by a joint team of police officers and local vigilante members.

He was accused of attempting to abduct a child before being rescued from the mob by security operatives. The suspect, who claims to hail from Osun State, is currently being interrogated to determine the full scope of his involvement and identify other suspects connected to the operation.

The police also noted that no formal complaint has yet been lodged by any alleged victim or their family. They urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and cooperate with investigators.