Kwara State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping and violent crime, arresting 16 suspects and recovering firearms, ammunition and other items linked to criminal operations across the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on May 2, 2026, on the official page of the Kwara State Police Command.

According to the command, the arrests were made during a series of coordinated operations carried out in April, targeting criminal networks operating in different parts of the state.

Police said items recovered from the suspects included 98 rounds of ammunition made up of assault and AK-47 rounds alongside additional live ammunition, locally fabricated firearms such as a shotgun, pistol and revolver rifle, as well as a Toyota Matrix vehicle and mobile devices.

In a related operation, police operatives also engaged suspected bandits in a gun duel during a rescue mission at Apata Aje settlement.

The command said the operation followed intelligence reports that armed men had attacked the community late on April 28 and abducted two residents.

Acting on the information, a joint team of police operatives and forest guards launched a search operation, which led to an encounter with the suspects in the bush.

“During the exchange of gunfire, one suspected bandit was neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot injuries,” the statement said.

Further items recovered at the scene include live cartridges, expended ammunition, mobile phones and suspected charms believed to be used by the criminal group.

The police added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and track down fleeing members of the gang.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Ojo Adekimi, said the command remained committed to dismantling criminal syndicates and sustaining pressure on kidnappers and bandits.
He assured residents that operations would continue until those behind the attacks are brought to justice.