Kwara confirms killing of notorious kidnap kingpin

The Kwara State Government has confirmed the elimination of a suspected kidnapper, Maidawa, and several of his fighters.

Chief press secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday saying they were neutralised in an encounter with joint security forces around Isanlu-Isin in the Isin Local Government Area of the state.

The press officer said, “Communications intercepted from the marauding kidnappers revealed that a notorious kidnapper known as Maidawa and many of his foot soldiers have been eliminated in an encounter with joint security forces around Isanlu-Isin in Kwara State.”

It added that “the engagement occurred on September 30 as security forces pressed forward the operation to rout the criminals, according to an intercept by the state security service.

“The news of Maidawa’s death was broken to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper, Baccujo, around Igboro-Idofin road during a conversation with his associates in faraway Marabar Maigora, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.

“Security forces, spurred by new calls of the state government for urgent interventions, have ratcheted up the efforts to dislodge the kidnappers who often launch cowardly attacks on civilian populations and abduct people for ransom.”

The state government had earlier urged residents in affected local governments to restrict movement to essential routines only, warning that fleeing kidnappers may endanger civilians.

“We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju said in a statement earlier.

She acknowledged the inconvenience but stressed the restrictions were temporary. “We commend the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals, and charge them to continue until they are totally neutralised and flushed out of our forests,” she added.