Police parade 28 suspected kidnappers, cultists in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command on Thursday paraded 28 criminals, comprising suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists.

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Ilorin, the state capital, the police commissioner, Victor Olaiya, said kidnapping for ransom has become prevalent in different parts of the state.

The police boss said a total of 78 kidnap suspects that were arrested from October 2023 to date were already at different correctional facilities in the state with pending cases.

Olaiya said technicality in the prosecution of criminal suspects was one of the challenges that made conviction slow and difficult, adding that victims of violent crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping refused to appear in court to give evidence.

“Some cases may take two or more years to be wrapped up and the victims that want to give evidence in court may become afraid of being harmed when he/she sees suspects or members of the gang in court,” he said.

He, however, assured that the police command was working closely with the judiciary to ensure speedy conviction of criminals.