I’ve lost count of children we abducted for money rituals – Suspect

A suspected kidnapper has said he cannot recall the number of children his gang stole from Ilorin, Kwara State.

The young man in his 20s stated this on Friday after he was caught in the state capital.

He was almost lynched but for the intervention of a police team on routine patrol.

The suspect with bruises on his face and other parts of the body said in a trending video that he couldn’t remember the number of children his team had kidnapped in Ilorin for money rituals.

He mentioned the names of other members of the gang.

He also told the mob that their team leader resides in Dagbolu, a suburb of Osogbo, Osun State capital.

He recounted that he was given N10 million by the team leader to carry out the latest kidnapping act which led to his waterloo.

Spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Adeyemi, in a statement confirmed that the suspect was in the police custody.

Adeyemi cautioned residents of Kwara State against mob action and jungle justice, saying, “Such acts are not only unlawful but can also result in the miscarriage of justice.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station rather than resort to self-help or violence.”

The statement reads partly, “The Kwara State Police Command is aware of a video circulating the media space of a young man, who was accused and apprehended for child kidnapping in Ilorin.

“The command wishes to inform members of the public that on Friday, 16th May, 2025, at about 7pm, operatives of the Kwara State Police Command apprehended an adult male (name unknown) for alleged child kidnapping in Ilorin.

“The suspect, who claimed he was from Osun State, was apprehended by a joint patrol team of police operatives and community vigilante members during a routine operation.

“He was rescued from a violent mob who had accused him of attempted kidnap of a child, and were on the verge of executing jungle justice.

“The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations and identify other individuals who may be connected to this incident.

“The complainant(s) involved are yet to report at command headquarters to provide more information to aid police detectives in unravelling this incident.

“Further updates will be provided as investigations unfold”.