Police Nab Suspected Supplier To Bandits In Kwara

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a suspected member of a logistics network allegedly supplying materials to bandits and other criminal groups in the state.

The suspect was arrested in Ilorin, the state capital, during a major operation carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit of the command.

Naija News reports that the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday, June 18.

Adeyemi said the arrest followed credible intelligence and sustained covert surveillance by operatives of the unit.

According to her, the suspect’s activities were linked to the movement and supply of materials believed to be destined for criminal elements operating in forests and remote locations across Kwara State.

She said, “Acting on credible intelligence and sustained covert surveillance, operatives of the Unit apprehended a suspect in Ilorin whose activities are strongly linked to the movement and supply of materials suspected to be destined for criminal elements operating within forested enclaves and remote locations across the State.

“Items recovered in connection with the investigation include a large quantity of assorted cigarette brands and other rations believed to form part of a logistics chain servicing criminal groups.”

The police spokesperson said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly played a strategic support role in a broader network providing supplies and other forms of assistance to bandits and allied criminal groups.

She added that investigators recovered photographs from the suspect’s mobile phone, which showed him dressed in military camouflage and seated on a Bajaj motorcycle.

Adeyemi said the discovery had strengthened intelligence leads on the suspect’s alleged links with criminal elements.

She said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect plays a strategic support role within a broader network responsible for providing sustenance and other forms of assistance to bandits and allied criminal elements.

“During the course of the investigation, photographs recovered from the suspect’s mobile device showed him dressed in military camouflage and seated on a Bajaj motorcycle, further strengthening intelligence leads regarding his suspected association with criminal elements.

“Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other collaborators connected to the network.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adekimi Ojo, reassured residents that security operations across Kwara were being intensified to target not only armed criminals but also those supporting them.

Ojo said the command would continue to focus on the logistics structures, collaborators, informants and suppliers who sustain criminal activities in the state.

He vowed that the police would deny criminal groups access to resources, freedom of movement and support networks needed to operate.

The commissioner added that the command remained resolute in sustaining pressure on all persons involved in aiding criminality in any form.

The police said the arrest formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and weaken the operational capacity of bandits and allied groups across the state.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information that could assist security agencies in identifying criminal collaborators and preventing attacks.

It also assured members of the public that investigations were ongoing and that all persons found connected to the suspected logistics network would be brought to justice.