The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 32 suspected bandits during coordinated operations targeting criminal networks operating within forest corridors in Kaiama and surrounding communities.
The arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations conducted by the Kwara State Police Command in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team.
During an operational visit to Kaiama, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended officers of the command and the tactical unit for what he described as a major breakthrough against bandit networks involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes.
Police said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across several forest locations and rural communities, including Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, Gbugbu, Tsaraji and Babanla.
Investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects belong to different gangs that use the forest corridors in the areas as operational bases for launching attacks and evading security patrols.
Among those arrested are two foreign nationals from the Niger Republic, suspected of collaborating with local bandit groups in cross-border criminal activities.
Security operatives also recovered 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 criminal groups to coordinate attacks.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed, a suspect from Jos, who is alleged to have supplied communication devices to bandits, along with other individuals suspected of providing logistics and support to the criminal network.
Speaking during the visit, the police chief said the arrests were the result of coordinated efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks operating within forest locations across the region. He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and restoring safety to affected communities.
He assured that all suspects currently in custody would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law, while security agencies continue efforts to track down other members of the criminal gangs still at large.
