The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 32 suspected bandits linked to kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes during coordinated security operations in Kwara State.
The arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations carried out by officers of the Kwara State Police Command and detectives from the Intelligence Response Team targeting criminal groups operating in forest corridors and rural communities across the state.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers for what he described as a successful crackdown on bandit networks.
Details of the operation were disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the statement, the suspects were arrested during coordinated raids on hideouts in several communities including Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, Gbugbu, Tsaraji and Babanla.
Investigations revealed that the suspects belong to several gangs using forested areas as operational bases.
Police said two of the suspects arrested are foreign nationals from the Niger Republic who are believed to have collaborated with local bandit groups in cross-border criminal activities.
Security operatives also recovered several items during the raids, including five walkie-talkie communication devices, 38 rounds of live ammunition, four AK-47 rifles and a camouflage hydration backpack suspected to have been used by the groups to coordinate attacks and evade security patrols.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed from Jos, who is alleged to have supplied communication devices to the criminal groups. Other individuals suspected of providing logistics and support to the network were also taken into custody.
Speaking during a visit to Kaiama, the IGP said the arrests demonstrate the result of coordinated efforts by the police and other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks hiding in forested areas.
He praised the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in their operations.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and restoring safety in affected communities.
He added that all suspects currently in custody would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted according to the law, while efforts continue to track and arrest other members of the criminal gangs still at large.
