Police Arrest 32 Suspected Bandits in Kwara, Recover Arms

 

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 32 suspected bandits linked to kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes during coordinated operations in forest communities in the state.

According to a statement by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, ‎SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Kwara State Police Command and detectives of the Intelligence Response Team targeting criminal networks operating in forest corridors and rural communities across the state.

During an operational visit to Kaiama, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the officers for their professionalism and bravery in dismantling the criminal network.

SP Ejire-Adeyemi said investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to different gangs using forests around Awi, Patigi, Gbugbu, Tsaraji and Babanla as hideouts for their operations.

Among those arrested were two foreign nationals from Niger Republic, suspected of collaborating with local bandit groups in cross-border criminal activities.

Items recovered during the coordinated raids included four AK-47 rifles, 38 rounds of live ammunition, five walkie-talkie communication devices and a camouflage hydration backpack believed to have been used by the suspects to coordinate attacks and evade security patrols.

Further investigations also led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed, a suspect from Jos, who is alleged to have supplied communication devices to the criminal groups alongside other individuals suspected of providing logistics support.

Speaking during the visit, IGP Disu said the arrests were the result of coordinated operations by the police and other security agencies aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within forest locations in the region.

He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and restoring safety to affected communities.

He added that the suspects in custody would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law while efforts continue to track down other members of the criminal gangs still at large.