From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin.
The Kwara State Police Command, has announced the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, cult members and other criminal suspects during a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at strengthening security across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Adekimii Ojo, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ilorin, where he outlined recent breakthroughs recorded by the command in its efforts to tackle violent crimes including kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and cult-related killings.
Ojo said the successes were achieved through intensified intelligence gathering, improved tactical deployments and collaboration with other security agencies.
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“I welcome you to this briefing, which is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and timely communication regarding the security situation in Kwara State,” the police commissioner said.
He noted that the command had recently stepped up intelligence-driven operations across the state to dismantle criminal networks and protect residents.
“The Kwara State Police Command has in recent weeks intensified intelligence-driven operations, strengthened tactical deployments and collaborated with relevant security agencies to tackle violent crimes,” he said.
One of the cases highlighted involved the arrest of a 15-year-old boy, Gobri Yusuf, over the alleged murder of a woman identified as Akanbi.
According to the police, the incident occurred on January 14, 2026, when officers received a distress call that the woman had been found in a pool of blood in her residence.
Investigations revealed that the suspect, who lived with the deceased, allegedly hid behind a door and attacked her while she was bathing using household items including a frying pan, weighing scale and kitchen utensils.
The police commissioner said the suspect confessed during interrogation, admitting that resentment against the deceased led him to commit the crime.
“He also disclosed that previous attempts to poison the deceased had failed,” Ojo said, adding that the suspect would be charged to court after the investigation.
In another development, the police arrested three suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of construction workers at a site along Owu Falls Road in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Bello Ori, Muhammadu Jemare and Mohammadu Shehu, were arrested on February 26 after investigators tracked a mobile phone stolen from one of the victims.
“Operatives successfully traced and apprehended the suspects after one of the victims’ stolen mobile phones was detected in active use, enabling digital tracking and precise location of the culprits,” the commissioner explained.
Ojo also announced the arrest of ten other suspects believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Oro-Ago in Ifelodun LGA.
He said the suspects were apprehended on March 1, during a joint intelligence-led operation following intercepted communications suggesting that members of the gang planned to move into the area to service motorcycles used for kidnapping activities.
Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles believed to be operational assets for kidnapping operations were recovered during the raid.
Among those arrested were a mechanic suspected to be maintaining the motorcycles and a logistics operative allegedly supplying fuel to the group.
In Moro Local Government Area, the police also arrested a 23-year-old woman, Awawu Maliki Bodo, during a raid on a suspected kidnapper’s hideout at Dogo Fulani Camp via Olooru.
Officers recovered a revolver and three live cartridges during the search, while the principal suspects fled the scene.
Ojo said the woman, believed to be the wife of one of the wanted suspects, was assisting investigators with useful information as efforts continue to track down the fleeing gang members.
Meanwhile, three other suspects – Zubairu Abubakar, Alhaji Issa and Abdullahi Ahaji Yahaya – were arrested during a stop-and-search operation along Duro/Kpada Road in Patigi.
Police said the trio were riding an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle when officers discovered a locally fabricated revolver loaded with six rounds of AK-47 calibre ammunition during a search.
The suspects claimed they were passengers, but could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the weapon.
The command also recorded breakthroughs in its anti-cultism operations following the killing of a 28-year-old man, Victor Mathew Nwachukwu, who was shot dead in front of a filling station in the Kulende area of Ilorin in January.
Investigations led to the arrest of three suspects – Abadulrasheed Hammed, Abdulganeen Abdulafeez and Muhammed Nuhu Wahab.
Police recovered firearms, battle axes, charms and items bearing the insignia of the Neo Black Movement secret cult group.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to belonging to cult groups operating within Ilorin.
In another cult-related case, a suspected cult leader identified as Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu, also known as “ID”, was arrested after allegedly pointing a locally made gun at a police officer during a violent confrontation in the Olunlade area of Ilorin.
Ojo said the suspect admitted he had previously served as the number one leader of the Eiye confraternity in the area.
The police also arrested Noah Olorunyomi over the alleged killing of a farmer, Shina, at a cashew plantation in Erin-Ile.
Investigations showed that the suspect had earlier shot another victim, Idris, who survived and is receiving treatment.
Ojo said the suspect had confessed to the crimes and would be charged to court after investigations.
The commissioner commended officers involved in the operations and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
“These achievements clearly demonstrate the command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order in Kwara State through intelligence-led policing and decisive tactical interventions,” he said.
He added that the command remained committed to the policing reforms and operational vision of the Inspector-General of Police, urging the public to see security as a collective responsibility.
