INSECURITY: Police Arrest Two Suspected Bandits, Recover Arms In Kwara

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Ilorin, Kwara State

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspected bandits and recovered a cache of arms and other incriminating items during a coordinated operation in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

The police also apprehended a 58-year-old man accused of providing shelter and support to members of the suspected criminal network linked to kidnapping, armed attacks and other violent crimes in the area.

According to the command, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with personnel of the Okuta Divisional Police Headquarters following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed in a statement made available to African Culture Television on Tuesday.

Adetoun said that the intelligence-led raid was conducted on a suspected criminal hideout in Okuta on June 6, 2026.

She said, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the VCRU, working in close collaboration with personnel of the Okuta Divisional Police Headquarters, conducted a tactical raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area, on 6th June 2026, leading to the arrest of Bello Mohammed, 28, and Abubakar Mohammed, 25.”

Adetoun stated that a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, 65 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two cutlasses, two tube tyres allegedly used in restraining victims, firearm servicing materials, criminal charms, a dagger, a mobile phone and a power bank.

She explained that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a criminal network allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed attacks and other violent crimes across the Baruten axis and neighbouring communities.

“During interrogation, Abubakar Mohammed confessed to his involvement in the group’s activities and disclosed that he had previously sustained injuries during an encounter with security operatives, resulting in the loss of three fingers,” she added.

She further revealed that intelligence generated from the investigation led to the arrest of one Umoru Saliu on June 7, 2026, for allegedly aiding the operations of the criminal network.

“Investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly provided accommodation and an enabling environment for members of the criminal network, including its leaders as well as other gang members who are currently at large,” she said.

Commenting on the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the arrests and recoveries as a major breakthrough in the command’s sustained offensive against violent crime in the state.

Adekimi noted that the success of the operation reflected the effectiveness of the operational strategies and directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at strengthening internal security, combating violent crime and dismantling criminal networks across the country.

The commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate and dismantle the remaining elements of the criminal network, adding that all suspects found culpable would be charged in court upon the c

onclusion of investigations.