Favour Raphael
A notorious kidnapper identified as Maidawa and several of his foot soldiers have been killed in a fierce engagement with joint security forces around Isanlu-Isin, Kwara State.
The encounter took place on September 30 as operatives intensified operations to dismantle criminal hideouts in the area, according to intelligence intercepts by the State Security Service.
Communications among the fleeing bandits revealed that Maidawa’s death was relayed to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper, Baccujo, during a conversation near Igboro-Idofin road. The message reportedly reached his associates as far away as Marabar Maigora in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security forces have recently scaled up offensives in Kwara following renewed calls by the state government for urgent interventions against kidnapping gangs. The ongoing operations are targeting hotspots across Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and Patigi Local Government Areas.
Authorities said the crackdown aims to neutralise the syndicates that have launched repeated attacks on civilian populations and abducted residents for ransom.
