The Kwara State Police Command has arrested six suspects over the alleged kidnap and killing of a 29-year-old cattle owner.

This was after detectives recovered his body from an abandoned well in Offa, Kwara State.

The development brought to a tragic end days of uncertainty over his disappearance.

Police said another suspect linked to the crime is still at large, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend him and recover the firearm allegedly used in carrying out the offence.

The victim, identified as Sulaiman Rilwan, was reported missing after he left his residence in Offa on July 26.

His disappearance was reported to the police two days later, prompting detectives to launch what the Command described as a comprehensive intelligence led investigation.

Briefing journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said investigators immediately commenced efforts to reconstruct the victim’s last known movements and establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

According to him, preliminary findings identified Mohammed Jamiu, who reportedly had a business relationship with the deceased involving the care of his cattle, as the last known person to have had contact with the victim before he went missing.

The Commissioner said the development prompted detectives to arrest the suspect for further investigation.

“Our investigation established that Mohammed Jamiu, who had a business relationship with the victim involving the care of his cattle, was the last known person to have had contact with him prior to his disappearance. This critical lead prompted the immediate arrest of the suspect,” he said.

Adekimi said further investigation uncovered a criminal conspiracy involving the principal suspect and several accomplices.

He said during interrogation, Jamiu allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and subsequently led investigators to an abandoned well in a bush in Offa where the victim’s body was recovered.

The Commissioner said information obtained during the investigation also led to the arrest of five additional suspects believed to have participated in the planning and execution of the crime.

Those arrested are Fashola Abdulfatai, 19; Daniel Gideon, 24; Adegoke Oladimeji, 25; Aliyu Yusuf, 26; and Abubakar Ahmed, 55.

Police said the suspects are being investigated for conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aiding and abetting kidnapping, kidnapping and culpable homicide.

Adekimi said detectives were still pursuing another suspect who allegedly fled after the incident.

He added that efforts were also underway to recover the firearm allegedly used in committing the crime.

“The confession generated actionable investigative leads, resulting in the arrest of five additional suspects believed to have played various roles in the planning and execution of the crime.

“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the remaining fleeing suspect and recover the firearm allegedly used in the commission of the crime,” he said.

Adekimi urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring that all reports would be treated professionally and with utmost confidentiality.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring that everyone connected with the alleged killing is arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police commissioner also assured residents that ongoing operations would continue until all fleeing suspects linked to the case were brought to justice.

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