Forest Bandit Network Cracked as IGP Disu Visits Kaiama, Police Arrest 32 Suspects, Recover AK-47 Rifles, Ammunition

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has commended officers of the Kwara State Police Command and operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) following the arrest of 32 suspected bandits during coordinated security operations in Kaiama area of Kwara State. 

The IGP gave the commendation during an operational visit to Kaiama, where he reviewed ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within forest corridors and rural communities across the state.

Police authorities disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during sustained intelligence-led raids carried out jointly by the Kwara State Police Command and the IRT on identified criminal hideouts located in Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, Gbugbu, Tsaraji and Babanla.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects belong to different armed groups allegedly involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes, using forest locations as operational bases.

Among those arrested are two foreign nationals believed to be from the Republic of Niger, suspected to have collaborated with local gangs in cross-border criminal activities.

Items recovered during the operations include four AK-47 rifles, 38 rounds of live ammunition, five walkie-talkie communication devices and a camouflage hydration backpack believed to have been used by the suspects to coordinate attacks and evade security patrols.

Police also confirmed the arrest of one Umar Mohammed, said to be from Jos in Plateau State, who is alleged to have supplied communication equipment to the bandit groups, along with other suspects accused of providing logistics support to the criminal network.

Speaking during the visit, the Inspector-General noted that the breakthrough was the result of coordinated operations involving the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies aimed at dismantling criminal elements operating in forested areas within the region. He urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to intensify security operations against banditry and restore safety in affected communities. He assured that all suspects in custody would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gangs still at large.