The Department of State Service (DSS) on Monday arrested a nursing mother and five others for the kidnap toddlers in Ondo State.
The DSS said the suspects were members of a syndicate who are deeply involved in abducting toddlers in the state.
DSS director in Ondo State , Jonathan Kure, said the group had been terrorising the state by allegedly kidnapping toddlers between the ages of two and four years.
Kure said that the arrest of the kidnap syndicate was done in collaboration with the army.
He further said the arrest was in adherence to the Federal Government’s commitment towards fighting crime and violence.
According to him, “the nursing mother among the syndicate helped them keep their weapons for the members of the group and she was also a wife to one of them.
“They (the suspects) have tormented so many families, especially within Akure, following the directive of President Buhari and support of our DG, we were able to launch a crackdown.
“You can see that they are young men, what is even more touching is that one of their members is a nursing mother and wife of one of the kidnappers, she also plays a dual role of being in charge of the armoury of the group,” the Director stated.
Kure said the suspects would soon be charged to court as further investigations into the case continue.
Some of the items confiscated from the suspect included: laptops, cash, locally made firearms and cash.
Speaking during the exercise, the Acting Governor of Ondo, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the state government was committed to protecting the lives and property of the residents.
Aiyedatiwa urged residents of the state to always report suspicious movements around their environment to security agencies.
“Security is everybody’s business. If you notice anyone that is living above his means, report such person to the security agencies,” he said.