*Rescue kidnap victim, recover arms in statewide raid
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command, has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against violent crime, dismantling robbery gangs, arresting suspected kidnappers, recovering ammunition and rescuing an abducted woman in a series of coordinated operations across the state.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin, Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the successes reflect the Command’s intensified intelligence-driven strategy and the unwavering support of residents.
“We will not allow criminals to take root in this state. Our resolve is firm, and every offender will be fished out,” he declared.
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“In one of the incidents, operatives arrested a 52-year-old suspect, Olatunji Samson, after a violent home invasion at Maigida Estate, Amoyo, where robbers tied up their victims and stole a Lexus RX-350, cash running into millions, gold jewellery and other valuables.
Samson was tracked to Ibadan while trying to sell one of the stolen vehicles. Police also recovered two Lexus SUVs and confirmed that the suspect had handled four other stolen cars from the same syndicate. The manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is aggressive and ongoing,” CP Ojo said.
In another tragic case, the Command arrested a former hotel staff, Yusuf Ibrahim, accused of strangling a female hotel worker, Opeyemi Bello, during a botched robbery.
He allegedly scaled the hotel fence at night, attacked the victim when she spotted him, and stole her phone. Police say he confessed to the crime.
A separate operation, resulted in the arrest of two armed robbery suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar and Dele Emmanuel, who allegedly raped a woman during a late-night robbery on Basin Road, Ilorin. The gang stole a Toyota Camry and high-end electronics during multiple attacks. The stolen Camry and an iPhone linked to the suspects were recovered. Police are pursuing the gang leader, identified as Imole Toyin.
Along Gbugbu/Patigi Road, police intercepted a vehicle carrying 100 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition concealed among personal belongings.
Four suspects were arrested, including the driver, Owolaramfe Rafiu. One of them confessed that the ammunition was being delivered from Nasarawa State to an unidentified contact in Gbugbu. “This interception may have prevented a major attack,” CP Ojo noted.
The Command also intercepted four young men believed to be members of a robbery gang responsible for attacking students in Offa. Several stolen mobile phones, power banks and an earpod were recovered. One suspect had a bullet wound allegedly sustained during an earlier confrontation with security personnel.
At Oro-Ago, police arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate, Aliu Abubakar, who was found with incriminating digital evidence showing him posing with an AK-47 rifle and cash believed to be ransom proceeds.
He is providing actionable intelligence as investigations continue.
In a related incident, “the Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued a 40-year-old woman, Aisata, after she was abducted from her home in Obate Village by four armed men. The attackers later used a friend’s phone to demand ransom but abandoned the victim when they noticed police approaching their hideout. She has since been reunited with her family.”
“In Ago-Oru, Omu-Aran, operatives arrested an ex-convict, Godday Agaadi, who was dressed in police camouflage and allegedly attempting to steal a live turkey. A search led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition. Two other suspects, including the gang’s herbalist, were also arrested”.
The Command further recorded breakthroughs in the fight against cultism. One suspect, Adebayo Sodiq, was arrested after a deadly attack at Kwara State Polytechnic that left one student dead. A jack knife and criminal charms were recovered.
“In two separate stop-and-search operations, police arrested three suspected cult members found with battle axes and cut-to-size cutlasses.
CP Ojo praised the cooperation of residents and support from government authorities. “Every arrest and recovery is a testament to the vigilance of the good people of Kwara State and the clear operational guidance of the Inspector-General of Police. With the continued support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, our capacity to secure lives and property is stronger than ever,” he said.
He assured that all suspects would face prosecution and the Command would maintain its momentum to keep the state peaceful.
