Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested five suspected bandits in Kwara State after intercepting a vehicle loaded with six AK-47 rifles concealed beneath charcoal.
The suspects were apprehended on Thursday at a checkpoint near Share town in Ifelodun Local Government Area. This was disclosed on Friday by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor.
“The suspects were travelling in a Golf saloon car with six AK-47 rifles hidden under charcoal. They were intercepted by the Nigerian Army during a routine patrol and are currently undergoing interrogation,” Ajakaye said.
Their arrest came just a day after six individuals suspected of acting as couriers for kidnapping gangs were caught in nearby Babanla, also in Ifelodun LGA. They were found with large quantities of bread and petrol—believed to be supplies for criminals operating in the area. The suspects were apprehended during a surveillance operation by government-backed local vigilantes.
“All six suspects have been transferred to the police headquarters in Ilorin for further investigation,” Ajakaye confirmed.
In a related development, a coordinated assault by vigilante forces on Tuesday in the Omu Aran–Eruku axis reportedly neutralised several criminals. Six motorcycles, multiple assault rifles, and loaded magazines were recovered from the hideouts.
The operation also led to the rescue of six suspected kidnap victims, four women and two young men, who were handed over to the police divisional post in Omu Aran.
