The Kwara State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crime, with the arrest of 16 suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and other items linked to criminal activities across the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on May 2, 2026, via the command’s official platform. According to the police, the arrests were made during coordinated operations conducted throughout April, targeting criminal networks in various parts of the state.
Recovered items include 98 rounds of ammunition—comprising assault and AK-47 rounds—alongside other live cartridges, as well as locally fabricated weapons such as a shotgun, pistol, and revolver rifle. A Toyota Matrix vehicle and several mobile devices were also seized.
In a separate operation, police operatives engaged suspected bandits in a gun battle during a rescue mission at Apata Aje settlement.
The command said the mission followed intelligence reports that armed men had attacked the community on April 28 and abducted two residents. A joint team of police officers and forest guards subsequently launched a search operation, leading to a confrontation with the suspects in a nearby forest.
“During the exchange of gunfire, one suspected bandit was neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” the statement said.
Additional items recovered at the scene included live cartridges, spent ammunition, mobile phones, and suspected charms believed to be used by the group.
The police noted that efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims and apprehend fleeing members of the gang.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and maintaining sustained pressure on kidnappers and bandits.
He also assured residents that security operations would continue until those responsible are brought to justice.
