Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.

According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.

The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.

Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.

“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.

The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.

“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.

The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.

According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.

“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.

The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.

The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt and an extortion plot in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area, arresting two nationals of the Republic of Togo for alleged involvement in the crime.

The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were arrested following intelligence-led operations launched after a resident, S. Ismaila, reported receiving repeated telephone threats demanding N22m to prevent his abduction.

According to the police, the caller allegedly threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom demand was not met.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said operatives from the Okuta Police Division immediately commenced investigations after receiving the complaint, working in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and deploying technical intelligence to trace those behind the threats.

She said the operation led to the arrest of the two foreign nationals, while a mobile phone allegedly used to make the threatening calls was recovered as an exhibit.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were directly linked to the criminal conspiracy. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the attempted kidnapping and extortion plot,” the statement said.

Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, praised their professionalism, prompt response and coordinated efforts, noting that their swift intervention prevented what could have developed into a major security incident.

The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and vowed that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely, credible, and actionable information to the Police, as public cooperation remains indispensable in sustaining the prevailing peace and security across the State,” the statement added.