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By Abubakar Umar
The Kwara State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its intensified campaign against violent crime, with multiple arrests, recovery of weapons and stolen vehicles, and the rescue of an abducted woman across various parts of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, said the coordinated operations reflect the Command’s renewed intelligence-driven strategy aimed at strengthening community safety.
He described the latest successes as further proof that “criminals can no longer operate freely in Kwara State,” assuring that officers will “continue to pursue every violent gang until the state is completely safe.”
One of the major operations led to the arrest of 52-year-old Olatunji Samson, a suspected member of a robbery gang that attacked a residence in Maigida Estate, Amoyo, carting away two Lexus RX-350 SUVs, foreign currency, and other valuables.
Police operatives trailed the suspects to Ibadan, where the stolen vehicle was to be sold for ₦15 million. Two Lexus vehicles were recovered, while a manhunt is ongoing for fleeing members of the syndicate.
The Command also uncovered a disturbing case of homicide at FEMDAK Hotel, Ilorin, where a staff member, Opeyemi Bello, was found strangled with a bedspread.
Investigations linked the crime to a former hotel employee, Yusuf Ibrahim, who allegedly scaled the fence at night in an attempt to rob.
CP Ojo confirmed that the suspect has confessed to the crime and will be prosecuted.
In another operation, police arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar and Dele Emmanuel, responsible for violent home invasions along Basin Road, including the sexual assault of a female victim.
A stolen Toyota Camry and high-end electronics were recovered.
The gang leader, known as Imole Toyin, remains at large, but CP Ojo said officers are closing in on him.
In Lafiagi, operatives intercepted four suspects transporting 100 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition concealed inside a Toyota Corolla.
The suspects, including 38-year-old driver Owolaramfe Rafiu, confessed to transporting the ammunition from Nasarawa State to Gbugbu.
CP Ojo described the interception as “a major disruption to a supply chain feeding bandit activities.”
NDLEA officials on routine patrol also arrested four robbery suspects in possession of multiple stolen mobile phones and power banks.
One of them, Aliyu Umar, was found with a gunshot wound and confessed that the gang had been operating between Offa and Abuja, robbing students and travellers.
A kidnapping syndicate was dismantled following the arrest of Aliu Abubakar at Oro-Ago Motor Park.
Digital evidence recovered from his device showed him posing with an AK-47 rifle and bundles of cash—suspected proceeds of kidnapping.
In a separate operation, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued a 40-year-old woman, Aisata, who was abducted in Obate Village.
Officers stormed the kidnappers’ hideout, forcing the criminals to flee and abandoning the victim.
CP Ojo commended the bravery of his men who “risked their lives in the bush to ensure this woman returned home safely.”
The Special Intelligence Squad also apprehended an ex-convict, Godday Agaadi, who was arrested wearing police camouflage and found with an AK-47 rifle loaded with 25 rounds.
Follow-up operations led to the arrest of several accomplices, including a 41-year-old herbalist linked to the gang.
The Command also recorded progress in its crackdown on cultism, including arrests connected to fatal clashes and the movement of dangerous weapons.
At the Kwara State Polytechnic, a suspected cultist, Adebayo Sodiq, was arrested following the death of a student, with weapons and charms recovered.
CP Ojo expressed gratitude to residents for their cooperation, noting that the achievements were made possible through public vigilance and the support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining the onslaught against criminals, saying Kwara remains on course to becoming one of the safest states in Nigeria.
Editing: Abdullahi Ahmed
