By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Kwara State Police Command has recorded major operational successes in its fight against kidnapping and violent crimes, with the arrest of 16 suspects and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and other items during operations carried out across the state in April.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi.
According to the statement, items recovered during the operations include 98 rounds of ammunition, comprising 20 assault rounds and 78 AK-47 rounds, alongside additional live ammunition.
Other exhibits listed include locally fabricated firearms such as a shotgun, a cut-to-size shotgun, a pistol, a revolver rifle, as well as a Toyota Matrix vehicle and several mobile phones believed to have been used by criminal elements.
In a related development, the Command said its operatives successfully conducted a rescue operation at Apata Aje settlement, where a suspected bandit was neutralised during a gun duel.
The operation followed credible intelligence that armed men had invaded the community on April 28, 2026, abducting two persons.
The statement noted that a combined team of police operatives and National Forest Guards launched a coordinated search and rescue mission, leading to a confrontation with the suspects during a bush combing exercise.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the suspected bandits was neutralised, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Further items recovered at the scene include live cartridges, expended ammunition, mobile phones, and suspected charms, indicating the organised nature of the criminal network.
The Command added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the fleeing suspects, reaffirming its commitment to tackling kidnapping and banditry across the state, and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support security operations.