Kwara Police records breakthrough, recover arms in statewide operations

The Kwara State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its intensified crackdown on armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

Speaking during a press briefing in Ilorin, on Friday, Adekimi Ojo, Commissioner of Police, explained that the coordinated operations were driven by an intelligence-led strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety.

He said: “These arrests and recoveries reflect our unwavering commitment to protect every resident of Kwara State. Criminals must understand that there is no hiding place for them.”

The Command highlighted ten significant cases, including robbery, homicide, kidnapping, cult-related killings and the interception of ammunition traffickers.

One of the arrests involved a 52-year-old man, Olatunji Samson, who was tracked to Ibadan following a violent home invasion at Maigida Estate, Amoyo. He was intercepted while attempting to sell a stolen Lexus RX-350 for ₦15 million. Two stolen vehicles were recovered, and he admitted to previously receiving four stolen cars from the same gang.

“The fleeing members of this syndicate will be tracked down. We are on their trail,” the CP assured.

In a separate incident, 26-year-old hotel staffer Opeyemi Bello was strangled inside a room at FEMDAK Hotel, Ilorin. Detectives arrested a former employee, Yusuf Ibrahim, who confessed to scaling the hotel fence at night to steal, killing the victim after she caught him in the act. CP Ojo described the murder as “a cold, senseless killing,” adding that the suspect would be prosecuted.

Read also: Gunmen abduct two Chinese nationals in Kwara amid rising kidnapping cases

The Command also paraded two armed robbery suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar and Dele Emmanuel, linked to a robbery and rape attack along Basin Road, Ilorin. A stolen Toyota Camry and several devices were recovered.

According to the CP, “Sexual violence during armed robbery is an aggravating offence and will be pursued with full force.”

Police operatives further intercepted 100 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition along the Gbugbu–Patigi Road during a routine stop-and-search.

Four suspects transporting the ammunition from Nasarawa State were arrested. One confessed that they were delivering the bullets to a contact in Gbugbu. CP Ojo described the recovery as “a major disruption of a supply line feeding criminal groups.”

In another operation, NDLEA officers on routine patrol arrested four robbery suspects in Ilorin. Several phones, power banks and an earpod were recovered. One of the suspects, who had a bullet wound, confessed that the gang travelled from Abuja to Offa to rob students in their hostels.

Police say efforts are underway to arrest the gang leader, known as Boda. The Command also arrested a suspected kidnap syndicate member, Aliu Abubakar, at the Oro-Ago Motor Park. Digital evidence showed him posing with AK-47 rifles and bundles of cash, which he confessed were proceeds from kidnapping.

In another case, police rescued a 40-year-old woman, Aisata, who was abducted from Obate Village by four armed men. The kidnappers fled their hideout after sensing police mobilisation.

“This rescue was possible because of swift reporting and rapid deployment,” CP Ojo said.

The Special Intelligence Squad also arrested an ex-convict, Godday Agaadi, found wearing police camouflage and in possession of an AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds. Two other gang members were later apprehended.

Meanwhile, cult-related violence at the Kwara State Polytechnic resulted in the death of one Habib O. Police arrested a suspect, Adebayo Sodiq, and recovered a jack knife and charms allegedly used in the attack.

In separate operations, three suspected cult couriers were arrested at different locations in Ilorin while transporting battle axes and cut-to-size cutlasses intended for cult activities. They have been charged to court for aiding and abetting cultism.

Ojo commended residents for their cooperation and credited the successes to directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the support of Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

“We are sustaining this momentum. Our message is simple; Kwara will remain peaceful, and anyone involved in crime will be met with the full weight of the law,” he added.

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