Kwara Police Arrest Eight Suspects in Armed Robbery and Homicide Crackdown
The Kwara State Police Command has apprehended eight individuals linked to a series of armed robberies and murders following what authorities described as a “coordinated, intelligence-led offensive” targeting criminal gangs across the state. Two Lexus vehicles and other stolen valuables were recovered during the operation.
At a press briefing on Friday at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo highlighted the arrest of 52-year-old Olatunji Samson, who allegedly masterminded a violent robbery at Mai Gida Estate, Amoyo, on November 21.
“The command received a distress call around 9 pm reporting a home invasion where the victim and his private security guard were tied up and assaulted. The robbers escaped with a Lexus RS 350, $10,000, ₦2.95 million, mobile phones, gold jewellery, and clothing items,” CP Ojo explained.
Acting on intelligence, police tracked the suspects to Ibadan, Oyo State, where they attempted to sell the stolen Lexus RS 350 for ₦15 million. Samson reportedly confessed to stealing vehicles for the same syndicate in previous incidents. The operation led to the recovery of two Lexus vehicles, while a manhunt continues for other gang members who fled.
The CP also confirmed the arrest of additional suspects connected to homicide, robbery, and rape across Ilorin and Offa, emphasizing that vehicle recovery was a major success of the recent operations.
In a separate case, 26-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim, a former hotel employee, was arrested for the murder of 28-year-old hotel staff member Opeyemi Bello, whose body was discovered in her room on November 16. “Investigations revealed that the suspect scaled the hotel fence intending to steal. When confronted, he strangled the victim with a bedspread,” CP Ojo said, adding that Ibrahim has confessed and will face court proceedings.
In another robbery case, two suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar and Dele Emmanuel, were apprehended after a stolen iPhone 14 Pro Max was traced to them following an attack on a woman in the Basin area of Ilorin. Her stolen Toyota Camry was also recovered.
Additionally, four suspects—Umar Adamu, Aliyu Umar, Lukman Idris, and Kazeem Ahmed—were arrested for coordinating robberies targeting students in Offa. Several smartphones and electronic devices were recovered from them.
“Journalists remain trusted partners in our collective security efforts,” CP Ojo stated, assuring residents that surveillance will be intensified and the command’s ongoing offensive will continue until “all criminal elements are completely dismantled,” reaffirming its commitment to a safer Kwara State.
