The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of operating a supply network for bandits and criminal groups in Ilorin. The arrest was made by the Violent Crime Response Unit following intelligence-led surveillance.
Arrest and Recovery
According to the police, operatives recovered a large quantity of assorted cigarette brands and provisions believed to be part of a logistics chain supporting bandits hiding in forests and remote communities. The suspect is thought to have been a key figure in moving supplies to criminal elements.
Evidence Found on Phone
During the investigation, officers examined photographs on the suspect's mobile phone. The images allegedly showed him dressed in military camouflage and seated on a Bajaj motorcycle. This discovery strengthened intelligence pointing to possible links between the suspect and criminal groups operating in the state.
Police Commitment
Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo assured residents that security operations would continue targeting not only armed criminals but also those who provide support, information, logistics, and supplies that enable their activities. The command remains committed to disrupting criminal networks and preventing offenders from accessing resources needed to sustain their operations.
The arrest was announced in a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
Background Context
This arrest comes amid ongoing security challenges in Kwara State. Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, urged residents not to abandon their communities in the face of rising bandit attacks, assuring them that security forces would reclaim affected areas. He made this statement during a visit to the state in March 2026.
In a separate incident, gunmen attacked Gidan Sani village in Kwara North, killing a woman and her two children. The attack occurred just days after Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the region.
Authorities have expanded investigations to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the supply network.
