Kwara: Kidnap kingpin gunned down, gang members arrested

• He was reportedly gunned down on Tuesday when local vigilantes stormed their hideout in the area
• The group is believed to have masterminded the incident that occurred two weeks ago in the town

A suspected leader of a kidnap gang has been killed at Elerinjare axis of Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State.

He was reportedly gunned down on Tuesday when local vigilantes stormed their hideout in the area.

It’s gathered that five other members of the kidnap syndicate were also arrested by the vigilante team.

The group is believed to have masterminded the incident that occurred two weeks ago in the town,

The vigilante team was said to have been led led to the hideout of the alleged kidnappers by one Pastor Johnson Ajiboye, whose wife, Mrs Bola Ajiboye, was abducted at her home in Elerinjare and later released after payment of N1m ransom and foodstuff to the kidnappers.

But things went awry when Pastor Oladipo, who went to deliver the ransom, was also detained by the kidnappers, but Mrs Bola Ajiboye was released.

The kidnappers also demanded N5m ransom for the release of Pastor Oladipo.

However, the vigilante team, mobilised and stormed the den of the suspected kidnappers and, in the ensuing face-off, neutralised the alleged kingpin, while at least five others were arrested.

Reports said Pastor Johnson and Pastor Oladipo led the vigilante team to the hideout of the suspected kidnappers, which led to the altercation and subsequent arrest of five other members of the gang.

Reacting to the development, the spokesman of the state police command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, but explained that, “I am still expecting a detailed report to ascertain whether the suspects were actually the masterminds of the Elerinjare kidnapping incident.”