Police arrest suspected cultist, recover locally made pistol in Kwara

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, and recovered a locally fabricated pistol during a joint security operation in Ilorin.

The Command said the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation carried out by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspect was apprehended in possession of the firearm as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle violent criminal networks and combat cult-related activities in the state.

The statement noted that the operation forms part of the Command’s sustained strategy to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within Kwara.

Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying operations against cultism and other violent crimes.

He said every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and improving public safety through proactive, intelligence-led policing.

The police commissioner also assured residents that the Command would sustain its operational momentum in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Meanwhile, the Command disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network linked to the suspect.

It reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to ensure that individuals threatening the peace and security of the state are brought to justice.