The Kwara State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in its intensified crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
The operations resulted in the interception of live ammunition concealed in foodstuff, the arrest of suspected cultists, and the recovery of a human skull intended for ritual purposes.
Briefing journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, attributed these successes to the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing. He emphasized that the achievements were bolstered by a robust collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safety of the state.
“These achievements clearly show that criminal elements will find no safe haven in Kwara State, while law-abiding citizens can go about their daily activities without fear,” the Commissioner stated during the press conference. He noted that the police are shifting from being reactive to proactively dismantling criminal networks.
A particularly notable operation took place on April 10 along the Ajase-Ipo Road. Police operatives intercepted an unregistered Toyota Previa vehicle traveling into Kwara from Kogi State. Upon conducting a thorough search, officers discovered 98 rounds of live ammunition hidden deep inside a bag of Garri.
Addressing the creative concealment, Adekimi explained that “the concealment was a deliberate attempt to evade detection and facilitate illegal movement across state lines. Three suspects were linked to the operation, while one of them allegedly received N1.3 million to procure the ammunition. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.”
In the Odota area of Ilorin, the police apprehended two suspected cultists, Lukman Abdul-Salam (alias “Ijaya”) and Aliu Ismaila (alias “Gambia”). The duo was picked up following a shop-breaking incident where goods valued at N2.5 million were carted away.
While the suspects denied being involved in the specific theft, they confessed to being members of the Eiye confraternity. Further searches of their residence led to the recovery of an empty AK-47 magazine, prompting investigators to look into their possible involvement in broader violent crimes.
In a similar vein, operatives responded to a distress call in the Ganmo area, leading to the arrest of Fabiyi Benson Seyi and Sodiq Rasheed. During the operation, police recovered a locally fabricated cut-to-size shotgun and a live cartridge from the suspects, who were confirmed to be members of a cult group terrorizing the neighborhood.
Furthermore, a 29-year-old suspect named Umaru Aliu was intercepted during a routine patrol along the Oroago axis. Officers found him in possession of multiple mobile phones, chargers, and a POS machine. His inability to provide a coherent account of his movements has led to an ongoing investigation into his potential links to kidnapping activities.
The Command also confirmed the arrest of Hamza Woru in Kaiama for the unlawful possession of a human skull. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly exhumed the remains of a deceased relative to use for ritual purposes.
“The suspect attempted to sell the human skull before he was apprehended, while his accomplice is still at large,” the Commissioner said. He added that the case has already been charged to court under the Kwara State law prohibiting dealings in human parts, as he urged residents to remain vigilant and share credible information with the police.
