The Kwara State Police Command has announced a series of arrests linked to kidnapping, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and homicide as part of intensified security operations across the state.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the Command had recently stepped up intelligence-driven policing and coordinated tactical operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and strengthening public safety in the state.
According to the police chief, the successes recorded were the outcome of collaborative efforts with other security agencies and improved intelligence gathering.
Teen Arrested Over Alleged Homicide
One of the cases highlighted involved the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect, identified as Gobri Yusuf, in connection with the killing of a woman identified as Akanbi A.
Police said the incident occurred on January 14, 2026, when officers received a distress call about a woman found in a pool of blood in her residence. Investigations revealed that the teenager, who lived with the victim, allegedly attacked her using household items while she was bathing.
Items recovered from the scene included a frying pan, weighing scale, kitchen spatula and knives. The suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Three Arrested Over Ifelodun Kidnap Case
In another development, police operatives arrested three suspected kidnappers — Bello Ori, Muhammadu Jemare and Mohammadu Shehu — in connection with the abduction of construction workers along Owu Falls Road in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Police said the suspects were traced on February 26 after investigators tracked a stolen mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. The digital tracking led officers to the suspects’ location, resulting in their arrest.
Ten Suspects Nabbed in Oro-Ago Operation
A major security operation carried out on March 1 in Oro-Ago led to the arrest of ten suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate.
Police said the arrests followed intercepted communications indicating that the group planned to service and refit motorcycles intended for criminal activities. Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles believed to be operational assets for kidnapping were recovered during the raid.
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Investigators are currently working to identify other members of the network and determine possible links to other crimes.
Woman Arrested as Police Recover Firearm
Police also arrested a 23-year-old woman, Awawu Maliki Bodo, during a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Dogo Fulani Camp via Olooru in Moro Local Government Area.
Officers recovered a revolver and three live cartridges during the operation. The woman, said to be the wife of a suspected kidnap kingpin who fled the scene, is assisting police with ongoing investigations.
Stop-and-Search Leads to Arrest of Armed Suspects
Meanwhile, operatives attached to the Patigi Police Division arrested three suspects during a routine stop-and-search operation along Duro/Kpada Road.
The suspects — Zubairu Abubakar, Alhaji Issa and Abdullahi Ahaji Yahaya — were found with a locally fabricated revolver, six rounds of AK-47 calibre ammunition, and an unregistered motorcycle. Police said investigations were ongoing to determine their criminal links.
Cultism Crackdown in Ilorin
In a separate case, police arrested three suspected cult members following a fatal shooting that occurred in January near Imam Filling Station in Kulende area of Ilorin.
The suspects — Abadulrasheed Hammed (alias Baniq), Abdulganeen Abdulafeez (alias Jagaban/Fizco) and Muhammed Nuhu Wahab (alias Honorable) — allegedly confessed to belonging to rival cult groups operating in the metropolis.
Items recovered from them included firearms, ammunition, battle axes, charms and images bearing cult insignia.
Police also arrested another suspect, Sofiullahi Ibrahim Idowu, popularly known as “ID”, after he allegedly aimed a locally made gun at a police officer responding to a disturbance in the Oke-Bonke community of Ilorin.
Farm Attack Suspect Arrested
Elsewhere, police in Erin-Ile arrested a suspect, Noah Olorunyomi, over the killing of a farmer and the attempted murder of another individual during separate attacks near a cashew plantation.
Police said Olorunyomi allegedly shot one victim dead and injured another person earlier the same day. A Dane gun was recovered from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crimes.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Security
CP Ojo commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and assured residents that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property.
He added that the policing strategy aligns with the reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, which emphasizes professionalism, operational efficiency and stronger internal security nationwide.
The police also urged residents to continue providing credible intelligence to help security agencies combat crime across the state.
