Kwara Forest Operation: Police Capture 32 Suspected Bandits

The Nigeria Police Force in Kwara State has arrested 32 suspected bandits in a major forest crackdown aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating across remote communities in the state.

The Kwara State Police Command said the suspects were apprehended during intelligence-driven operations targeting bandit hideouts in forest corridors believed to serve as bases for kidnapping and other violent crimes.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, two of those arrested are foreign nationals from the Niger Republic, suspected of collaborating with local bandit groups in cross-border criminal activities.

She explained that the arrests were made during coordinated raids conducted by operatives of the state police command alongside detectives from the Intelligence Response Team.

Ejire-Adeyemi said the operation specifically targeted criminal hideouts located in forest areas around Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, and Babanla.

The suspects are alleged to have been involved in several crimes, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent attacks affecting communities within the region.

The police spokesperson assured that all suspects would undergo thorough investigation and would be prosecuted in accordance with the law if found culpable.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during an operational visit to Kaiama, commended officers of the Kwara State Police Command and members of the Intelligence Response Team for what he described as a successful operation against forest-based criminal gangs.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify security operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring safety across affected communities.