Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested five suspected bandits in Kwara State, recovering six AK-47 rifles hidden inside a vehicle.
In a statement on Thursday, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed that the suspects were intercepted at a military checkpoint along Share town in Ifelodun Local Government Area. According to him, the rifles were concealed under bags of charcoal in a Golf saloon car before being discovered by soldiers on patrol.
The development came barely 24 hours after six suspected couriers for kidnappers were apprehended around Babanla town in the same local government with large consignments of bread and petrol—believed to be supplies for criminal hideouts.
Ajakaye added that the five arrested suspects have been transferred to the police headquarters in Ilorin for further investigation, noting that they are currently undergoing interrogation.
Meanwhile, a separate operation earlier in the week saw government-backed vigilante forces raid a bandit hideout in Omu Aran–Eruku axis. The coordinated assault left several criminals neutralized, with six motorcycles, assault rifles, and loaded magazines recovered. Four women and two young men believed to have been kidnapped were also rescued and handed over to the police divisional post in Omu Aran.
The arrests and raids are part of ongoing joint efforts to stamp out banditry and kidnapping in Kwara and its surrounding areas.
