The Kwara State Police Command has recorded significant victories against criminal elements, announcing the arrest of five suspected members of armed robbery and kidnapping gangs. The operations, which spanned different parts of the state, also led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and stolen vehicles.
Interception of Ammunition and Arrest of Suspects
In a major breakthrough, police operatives attached to the Lafiagi Area Command intercepted a Toyota Corolla with registration number EP 434 ABC during a routine stop-and-search operation. The incident occurred along the Gbugbu-Patigi Road at approximately 7:30 am on Friday.
The vehicle was driven by Owolaramfe Rafiu (38), with three other occupants: Musa Mohammed (20), Adam Alhaji Lawal (18), and Musa Shaibu (45). A thorough search of the car revealed 100 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition cleverly concealed among personal belongings, alongside an assortment of charms.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, Musa Mohammed, confessed that the ammunition was procured from Nasarawa State and was destined for delivery to an unnamed contact in the Gbugbu community. The State Police Commissioner, CP Adekimi Ojo, stated that efforts are in top gear to identify and apprehend the intended receiver, describing the arrest as a critical step in disrupting arms trafficking routes linked to bandit groups active in Kwara's riverine and border areas.
Dramatic Rescue of Kidnapped Victim in Obate Village
In a separate incident highlighting the police's anti-kidnapping efforts, operatives successfully rescued a woman, Aisata, who was abducted on November 29, 2025. Four armed men invaded the home of her husband, Suleiman Sahadudeen, in Obate village, armed with cutlasses and a locally made firearm, and took her away.
The kidnappers later returned to seize the phone of her friend, Arusat, which they used to demand an initial ransom of ₦30 million, later reduced to ₦150,000. Police operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit advanced into the Obate–Eyenkorin forest axis, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon their victim upon sensing police movement.
The rescued woman was unhurt and, after a medical assessment, has been reunited with her family. The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
Intelligence-Led Arrest and Digital Evidence
The command also announced the arrest of Aliu Abubakar, who was nabbed at the Oro-Ago Motor Park based on actionable intelligence provided by vigilant community members. Although he initially claimed to be visiting an uncle, his suspicious behaviour prompted a deeper investigation.
This investigation yielded damning digital evidence, including images of the suspect brandishing an AK-47 rifle. Other images revealed his associates, identified as Buba, Auta, and Bello "Smally", posing with prohibited firearms.
Abubakar later confessed that large sums of money found in his possession were proceeds from kidnapping operations conducted by his syndicate. He is currently in custody and is reportedly providing valuable intelligence to support ongoing counter-kidnapping operations across Kwara State.
CP Adekimi Ojo, while addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, emphasized that these operations underscore the command's commitment to rooting out criminal networks. The recovery of the ammunition, assorted charms, and incriminating digital evidence marks a significant dent in the operations of kidnapping syndicates within the state.
