Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspected members of a burglary syndicate allegedly linked to cult activities, recovering two locally fabricated firearms and a live cartridge during intelligence-led operations across the capital city of Ilorin.

The arrests followed separate reports of burglary and housebreaking in parts of the state capital, where residents reportedly lost mobile phones, laptops, electronic appliances and other valuables to suspected criminals.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC I Ayoola Michael Shola, operatives of the Command’s Tracking Unit launched investigations based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of one of the suspects, Ajiboye Adedamola Oluwatobi, popularly known as “Kush-T,” at a suspected criminal hideout in the Danialu area of Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin.

The statement added that sustained intelligence gathering led to the arrest of another suspect, Dayo Sesan, also known as “Sexy,” during which officers recovered two locally fabricated firearms and one live cartridge from his possession.

According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigations indicate that the two suspects are allegedly connected to a criminal syndicate believed to be responsible for burglary and related offences in Tanke, Pipeline and Gaa-Akanbi areas of Ilorin.

The Command further disclosed that the suspects identified themselves as members of the Aiye Confraternity, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of their alleged criminal activities and apprehend other members of the syndicate.

“The suspects will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, the Command said it would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to tackle crime across Kwara State.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kwara State Command, under the leadership of Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed, remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property through intelligence-led operations, proactive crime prevention strategies, and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies and members of the public,” the statement read.

The Command also appealed to residents of the state to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would aid efforts to combat criminal activities and improve public safety.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity for alleged abduction and murder of a student of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, while intensifying efforts to apprehend nine other members of the gang still at large.

The arrests followed what the police described as a painstaking investigation by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), which uncovered the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the victim.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended during coordinated tactical operations carried out on Monday, June 29, 2026, at identified cult hideouts across Ilorin metropolis.

The arrested suspects were identified as Adeoye Babatunde Alimi, 23, also known as “Solar”; Bernard Kayode, 25, alias “KK”; and Owoyemi Bashiru, 27, popularly called “GDP.”

Police investigations revealed that the trio are suspected members of a violent cult group allegedly responsible for the abduction of 29-year-old Sodiq Durodola Olaniyi, an indigene of Oyo State, who had been missing since June 4, 2026.

The police said the suspects confessed to their individual roles during interrogation and admitted that the victim was killed after being abducted by members of the cult group.

“The suspects confessed to their respective roles in the crime and disclosed that the victim was executed by members of the cult group after his abduction,” the statement said.

The command further disclosed that investigations uncovered a 12-member criminal gang, with only three members currently in custody, while nine others remain at large.

“Tactical efforts have since been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, dismantle the criminal network and recover the corpse of the victim,” the police stated.

The police also revealed that the arrested suspects were providg investigators with useful information concerning other violent crimes allegedly committed by the group within Ilorin metropolis.

The command assured residents that investigations were ongoing and vowed that everyone found culpable would face prosecution at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing, and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

• Cocoa, oil palm plantations underway: Rector

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has intensified efforts to diversify its revenue base and deepen practical learning for students with the commencement of commercial cassava harvesting at its institutional farm.

The maiden harvest, held at the polytechnic’s commercial farm in Ilorin, marked a significant step in the institution’s drive to combine academic training with agricultural entrepreneurship while supporting food security in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists during the harvest, the Rector of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, said the institution deliberately ventured into commercial agriculture to reduce dependence on government funding, create additional income and expose students to practical farming experience.

According to him, agriculture remains a critical sector capable of generating employment, increasing food production and driving economic development.

“What we are witnessing today is just the beginning. Agriculture provides enormous opportunities for employment, ensures food availability and serves as a reliable source of income. That is why we have decided to invest in it,” the Rector said.

Mohammed disclosed that the institution had already embarked on large-scale cultivation of cassava and maize, while simultaneously developing cocoa and oil palm plantations as part of a broader agricultural expansion programme.

According to him, the tree crop projects are designed as long-term investments that will continue to benefit the institution well beyond the tenure of the current administration.

“We have started with cassava and maize, and we have also expanded to cocoa and oil palm plantations. These are investments that will outlive this administration because good leadership is about planning beyond your tenure,” he said.

The Rector added that the Department of Food Science and Technology would process farm produce into finished products to maximise value addition and strengthen the institution’s internally generated revenue.

“I want to assure you that our Food Science and Technology Department has been charged with the responsibility of processing all these farm produce. In the coming years, we expect to see products such as Polytechnic palm oil, cocoa products and several processed food items produced right here by the institution,” Mohammed stated.

He further revealed plans to establish a distinct institutional brand for products including cassava chips, palm oil and cocoa-based products, expressing confidence that the initiative would improve students’ practical knowledge while opening new income streams for the polytechnic.

The Rector noted that proceeds from the cassava harvest would be reinvested to sustain and expand the commercial farming project, stressing that profitability in agriculture requires patience because of the huge initial investment involved.

“In every investment, there is always a starting capital. We do not expect to recover everything within one farming season because land clearing alone takes a significant portion of the cost. With time, however, we will break even and begin to generate profit,” he explained.

Mohammed commended the Kwara State Government for providing agricultural equipment to support the project, noting that the intervention had reduced production costs and improved operations on the farm.

He also disclosed that students are actively involved in the farming activities as part of their practical training, describing the initiative as a blend of academic learning, research and entrepreneurship that will position the institution as a leader in agricultural innovation among tertiary institutions.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Kwara State Polytechnic Commercial Farm and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Engr. Ruth Modupe Bayeri, described the maiden cassava harvest as a landmark achievement for the institution.

She praised the Rector for supporting the project from its conception and ensuring its successful implementation.

“I want to welcome everyone here today. This is a significant occasion for us, and I want to say a few words of appreciation to our Rector for believing in this vision from the beginning. He gave his full support to make this day a reality,” Bayeri said.

She expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the harvest, saying it has justified the institution’s investment in commercial agriculture.

“We are not disappointed, and I am sure the Rector is also not disappointed with what we have achieved,” she added.

Bayeri explained that beyond revenue generation, the commercial farm was established to equip students with practical agricultural skills while contributing to food security and sustainable agricultural development.

She expressed optimism that the successful cassava harvest would encourage further expansion of the institution’s farming activities and strengthen its commitment to innovation, skills acquisition and commercial agriculture.