By AFUSAT AGUNBIADE-OLADIPO

The Police Command in Kwara has intercepted a cache of live ammunition concealed in a bag of garri and arrested suspects allegedly involved in cultism, kidnapping and a human parts trafficker.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday in Ilorin.

Adekimi said that the command remained “resolute, proactive and unrelenting” in its mandate to protect lives and property.

He warned that criminal elements would find no safe haven in the state.

“These achievements show that law-abiding citizens can go about their lawful activities with confidence, as we continue to disrupt criminal networks through intelligence-led policing,” the CP said.

Adekimi said that one of the breakthroughs occurred on April 10, when operatives of Operation Harmony intercepted a suspicious vehicle along Ajase-Ipo Road.

According to him, a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 98 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a bag of garri, in what he described as a deliberate attempt to evade detection.

The police boss said three suspects were linked to the illegal arms deal, adding that one of them allegedly received N1.3 million to procure the ammunition.

He said the suspects were cooperating with investigators, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.

In another operation, Adekimi said police arrested two suspected cult members in connection with an alleged shop-breaking incident opposite Bovas Filling Station in Odota.

He said thst goods valued at about N2.5 million were stolen during the operation.

The CP said that the suspects denied involvement in the theft, but admitted being members of the Eiye confraternity.

He said that a search of their residence led to the recovery of an empty AK-47 magazine, adding that investigation was ongoing to recover the stolen items and arrest other suspects, including a landlord’s son allegedly linked to the weapon.

Similarly, operatives in Ganmo, in collaboration with local vigilantes, arrested two suspects found in possession of a cut-to-size shotgun and a live cartridge following a distress call.

Adekimi said the suspects were identified as members of a cult group terrorising residents of the area.

He further disclosed that a 29-year-old suspect was intercepted during routine patrol along the Oroago axis with a large quantity of electronic items, including phone chargers, mobile devices, a POS terminal and an Apple smartwatch.

According to him, inconsistencies in the suspect’s explanation raised suspicion of possible links to kidnapping, adding that investigation was ongoing.

The police commissioner also confirmed the arrest of a suspect over an alleged attempt to sell a human skull in Kaiama.

He said the suspect allegedly exhumed the remains of a relative buried earlier this year and removed the skull for ritual purposes, adding that his accomplice was still at large.

Adekimi said the case had been charged to court in line with the Kwara State law prohibiting dealings in human parts.

He attributed the successes to improved intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.

“The command is not merely reacting to crime but actively preventing and dismantling criminal networks before they become threats to public safety,” he said.

The CP assured residents that security measures had been strengthened across the state through increased patrols and surveillance.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely information.

“Security is a collective responsibility. With residents’ cooperation, we will sustain peace, safety and public confidence in Kwara,” Adekimi added. (NAN)