Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested a medical doctor in Kwara for allegedly transporting medical supplies from Sokoto State to suspected kidnapping gangs. This arrest highlights rising insecurity in North-Central Nigeria.
The Kwara State Government confirmed the arrest in a statement released on its official Facebook page on Friday.
DSS Intercepts Medical Doctor in Kwara
According to the statement, “The Department of State Service has taken into custody a medical doctor who was ferrying drugs from Sokoto to kidnappers in parts of Kwara State. The doctor was intercepted in the Jebba area following intelligence reports about the activities of the kidnappers and their couriers. The secret service says the criminal gangs appear desperate for medical care following gunshot wounds sustained in encounters with security forces.”
Security sources said this arrest is part of intensified operations targeting logistics networks supplying kidnapping gangs. One source explained that kidnappers are increasingly seeking medical treatment for injuries. This prompted heightened surveillance of all medical supply movements.
Rising Insecurity in Kwara State
Kwara, previously considered calm, has recorded a surge in criminal activities over recent months. Areas like Kaiama, Baruten, Ekiti, and Moro Local Government Areas have experienced multiple kidnapping incidents. Border communities are particularly vulnerable due to proximity to forests, which serve as hideouts for criminal gangs.
The arrest of the medical doctor in Kwara shows how kidnappers exploit local networks to sustain operations. Security agencies continue to monitor and act to protect residents across the state.
