Kwara State security agencies have arrested a man from Makurdi, Benue State, accused of supplying guns to bandits operating in the state.

The arrest follows Tuesday’s violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in the Eruku community of the Ekiti Local Government Area.

Security agents also apprehended several suspects linked to the provision of food, drugs, and general sustenance to bandits in their hideouts.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this to newsmen at the state’s police command while briefing on the outcome of the earlier State Security Council meeting at the Government House, Ilorin.

He revealed that the Security Council noted with dismay the damaging impact of social media on the country’s fight against insurgency, particularly in the reporting of security matters.

The council, however, commended the military, police, and the Department of State Security Service, DSS, for new deployments in the state, which Ojo explained were in line with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ojo praised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who, a few days ago, deployed four tactical teams, including the Special Weapons and Tactics, Intelligence Response Team, Special Intervention Squad, and Special Tactical Squads, to neutralise threats in the state.

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He further stated that the council meeting “harvested insights from the security commanders on recent happenings and field intelligence in the aftermath of the Eruku incident, including efforts of the security agencies to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victims.”

According to him: “The meeting also commended heightened security deployments, especially air interdictions which have dislodged kidnappers from their former hideouts, particularly in Ifelodun.

“It called for continuous air bombardment of areas identified as criminal hideouts.

“The Police and DSS reported several arrests of food and fuel suppliers linked to the criminals, as well as a man from Makurdi who confessed to fixing weapons for the kidnappers.

“The meeting commended the government’s strategic security decisions regarding schools in parts of the state.”

As security agencies continue efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls, the council called for constant vigilance and early reporting of any suspicious movements, Ojo added.

He also stated: “The meeting approved joint patrols of security forces across different parts of the state, especially as the Yuletide approaches. It recommended heightened security measures around vulnerable locations.

“The meeting observed the damaging impact of social media on the country’s fight against violent non-state actors. It expressed concern over the dissemination of security information, including ransom demands and amplification of details that expose citizens to danger.

“For public safety, it called for caution in the exercise of freedom of expression.

“The meeting urged citizens to avoid night farming and social activities that could expose them to harm. It also encouraged prompt reporting of any suspicious movements to security agencies, government authorities, and traditional rulers.

“The meeting observed a minute of silence for the victims of the Eruku CAC attack and once again commiserated with their families and the wider community.

The Security Council meeting reviewed various security developments within the state and its borders.