BREAKING: Nine Kwara Abductees Regain Freedom After Ransom Payment As Security Operatives Arrest Gang Looting Bandit-Deserted Communities

Ilorin,  Kwara State– Nine residents of Idi-Iya community near Yaru in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were abducted by gunmen in April, have regained their freedom after the alleged payment of a substantial ransom, Afrika Eyes has learned.

The development came as security operatives in the local government area arrested four suspected members of a criminal gang accused of looting properties and livestock from communities deserted due to persistent bandit attacks.

Afrika Eyes gathered that the nine victims were kidnapped on April 23, 2026, and remained in captivity for several weeks before regaining their freedom on Tuesday evening.

A security source familiar with the development told Afrika Eyes that all the abductees returned alive despite earlier rumours suggesting that two of them had died while in captivity.

“The nine abductees of Idi-Iya near Yaru, who were kidnapped on April 23, 2026, regained their freedom today after the alleged payment of a substantial ransom,” the source said.

“All were confirmed alive, contrary to earlier speculations that two of the abductees had died in captivity.”

The source further disclosed that security operatives in Ifelodun Local Government Area had arrested a gang allegedly exploiting communities abandoned by residents fleeing bandit attacks.

According to the source, four members of the gang were apprehended and later paraded through Igbaja Market and along the main streets of the town earlier on Tuesday.

“The four members of the gang were paraded at Igbaja Market and through the main street earlier today. They allegedly confessed to the crimes and pleaded for forgiveness,” the source said.

The suspects are currently being held at the Igbaja Police Station pending further investigations.

According to preliminary findings, the gang was arrested at dawn on Monday in Ekudaji, a community near Agbeku, while allegedly loading stolen livestock and household property.

“The gang was apprehended at dawn yesterday in Ekudaji, near Agbeku, while loading stolen livestock, including goats, sheep and poultry, along with household items taken from abandoned homes,” the source explained.

“Preliminary findings indicate they had been systematically looting animals and property from deserted villages across the local government area.”

Security sources further revealed that one of the suspects is allegedly connected to a failed kidnapping operation in Oro-Ago and remains under investigation over the incident.

“One of those arrested is also allegedly linked to a foiled kidnapping in Oro-Ago and remains under police investigation,” the source added.

Many communities across Ifelodun Local Government Area have been severely affected by insecurity, with residents abandoning their homes and farms due to recurring attacks by armed bandits.

The resulting displacement has left several settlements vulnerable to criminal elements who exploit the absence of residents to steal domestic animals and household belongings.

Local stakeholders have praised the swift intervention of security operatives, describing the arrest of the suspects as a significant step toward restoring confidence among displaced residents.

They, however, called for a sustained security presence across the affected communities to prevent further criminal activities and facilitate the safe return of those forced to flee their homes.

According to the stakeholders, communities abandoned because of bandit attacks remain highly vulnerable to organised looting and theft of livestock, as demonstrated by the incident uncovered in Ekudaji.

They warned that without increased surveillance and security deployment, criminal groups could continue to exploit the security vacuum in deserted settlements, further worsening the humanitarian and economic impact of banditry across the local government area.