Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a medical doctor alleged to be a major operational asset to kidnapping syndicates terrorising parts of Kwara State. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld pending further investigations, was intercepted while transporting a consignment of medical drugs believed to be intended for kidnappers operating along the Kwara–Niger–Kogi forest corridors.
According to top security sources, the doctor had been under discreet surveillance for several weeks after intelligence linked him to a network of criminal gangs responsible for multiple kidnappings in Baruten, Kaiama and neighbouring border communities. He was reportedly ferrying controlled medications from Sokoto and delivering them to the gangs in remote hideouts.
Investigators say the doctor provided both drugs and discreet medical treatment to injured gang members, as well as to abducted victims who were held for long periods. This service, they noted, allowed the gangs to keep hostages alive during negotiations, thereby sustaining their criminal operations.
A senior DSS source described the arrest as a “major blow to the operational efficiency of the kidnapping networks,” stating:
“This suspect was not just a courier; he was a critical enabler. His medical expertise allowed the kidnappers to prolong captivity for victims and treat wounded members without exposing themselves to public hospitals. His arrest disrupts a vital support line.”
Another operative involved in the operation said the suspect’s movements had been monitored across several northern states:
“We tracked his supply pattern and established consistent trips that matched the timelines of kidnap incidents. Every delivery coincided with spikes in criminal activity. His arrest was carefully timed to secure evidence and prevent further shipments.”
Preliminary findings also suggest that the doctor received payments from the kidnapping groups through intermediaries who used cash couriers and unregistered transfer channels to avoid detection.
Security analysts say the development highlights a worrying trend where professionals — including medical workers, drivers, and informants — have been quietly recruited by criminal networks to strengthen their operations.
The DSS has launched a wider investigation aimed at identifying other collaborators, suppliers, and possible financiers connected to the syndicates. The arrested doctor is currently undergoing interrogation in Abuja, where he is expected to provide additional intelligence on the structure and logistics of the kidnapping rings.
Authorities believe the breakthrough will significantly weaken the kidnappers’ ability to sustain long-term operations, especially in areas where they have set up camps supported by external actors.
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