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The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit as part of ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities in the state.
The command said the suspect, Mallami Abubakar, a 20-year-old from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State, was apprehended last Thursday in Nanu, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State during a routine patrol.
In a statement on Saturday, the police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the suspect had allegedly been contacted by a friend from Niger State and asked to travel to Farinsuni to join a terrorist group.
She disclosed that the suspect is currently in custody over alleged links with the Islamic State West Africa Province and Lakurawa terrorist groups.
“Preliminary investigation and interrogation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been contacted on March 30, 2026, by a friend identified as ‘Babi’ (surname unknown) from Babana Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the statement read.
“The individual reportedly invited him to travel to Farinsuni via Baruten Local Government Area with the intention of joining a group believed to be affiliated with ISWAP/Lakurawa before his arrest.”
Ejire-Adeyemi added that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the suspect’s involvement and to track down other individuals connected to the case.
She noted that the arrest was carried out by a joint patrol team comprising police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
