Police Crack Forest Bandit Network, Arrest 32 Suspects, Recover AK-47 Rifles in Kwara

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry with the arrest of thirty-two suspected bandits operating in forests in Kwara State.

The arrests followed sustained intelligence-led operations by the Kwara State Police Command in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across Kaiama, Patigi, Gbugbu, Tsaraji, Babanla and Awi communities.

Investigations revealed that the suspects are members of different gangs involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes, using forest corridors as operational bases.

Among those arrested are two foreign nationals from neighbouring Niger Republic, believed to be collaborating with local criminal groups in cross-border banditry.

During the operations, police operatives recovered four AK-47 rifles, thirty-eight rounds of live ammunition, five communication devices and a camouflage hydration backpack suspected to have been used to coordinate attacks and evade security patrols.

Further investigations also led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed, a suspect from Jos, Plateau State, alleged to have supplied communication equipment to the bandits.

Authorities have assured that all suspects will face thorough investigation and prosecution, while efforts continue to track down other members of the gangs still at large.