The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 44 suspected criminals for offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms in the last one month.
The police, under the period under review also recovered exhibits such as mutilated human body, arms and ammunition, and N2.7m ransom money.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adekimi Ojo, disclosed these while addressing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Ilorin, on Thursday.
Ojo said that the arrested suspects include kidnappers, fraudster, armed robbers, ritualists, thieves, and those arrested for illegal possession of firearm.
He listed recovered items from the suspects as one dane gun, two empty shells of AK-47 rifle, one live ammunition, forged documents and other incriminating items including one colour Airpod, three New Age 33,000mAh power banks and one 44,000mAh New Age power bank.
The rest are five Oraimo 30,000mAh power banks, one Toyota Camry car, one locally made barrel pistol, including cash sum of N2,700,000.00 suspected to be part of ransom for kidnap victims.
The CP attributed the breakthroughs to discreet investigations, timely intelligence gathering, and swift tactical operations.
He added that the successes were the results of collective effort between the Police, residents of the state and the media.
In one of the cases, one Adeola Badru, a male, was accused of defrauding Joseph Olugbenga to the tune of N300million with forged documents and incriminating items, promising his victim that he could assist to secure any federal government political appointment of the victim’s choice.
“On 30/06/2025, a case of criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence was reported through a petition written by one Joseph Olugbenga ‘Male’ of Gaa-Odota, Ilorin, Kwara state.
“He reported that sometime in February 2023, the suspect, Mr. Adeola Badru, approached and introduced himself to the complainant, Mr. Joseph Olugbenga. The suspect claimed to be a seasoned politician and a very influential personality with direct access to many top politicians in Nigeria, and further assured that he could assist the complainant to secure any federal government political appointment of his choice.
“Based on trust, the complainant released, in tranches, the sum of N300,000,000.00 to the suspect, believing his promise to facilitate the appointment as a member into the South West Development Commission.
“Subsequently, the suspect blocked all communication channels, preventing the complainant from reaching him. Upon receipt of the petition, operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) swung into action and traced the suspect to his hideout in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was arrested,” the CP explained.
He added that the suspect voluntarily admitted to the crime during interrogation, stressing that the Command was carrying out further investigation.
The CP said the suspect will be charged to court at the conclusion of police findings.