POLICE SMASH BANDIT SUPPLY CHAIN IN KWARA, NAB TWO ARMS COURIERS, KIDNAP KINGPIN

In a major breakthrough against banditry and kidnapping in the North-Central region, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, have busted a notorious bandit supply route, arresting two suspected kidnappers and arms couriers during a covert operation in Kwara State.

The intelligence-led sting operation was carried out on Saturday, December 13, 2025, along the Omu-Aran–Oko Road, following weeks of painstaking surveillance on criminal logistics networks supplying bandits terrorising communities in the state and beyond.

Sources disclosed that the operation initially led to the arrest of a suspected courier. His interrogation reportedly cracked open the entire network, culminating in the arrest of a notorious kidnapping kingpin operating within the same axis.

The suspects were identified as Abubakar Mohammed Lawal, a native of Yamatawa village in Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State, and Abubakar Manu, from Oro-Ago village in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of a black Bagco bag containing items allegedly meant for delivery to armed bandits hiding in the dense Oro-Ago forest in Ifelodun LGA. Recovered exhibits included a military camouflage water bag, a black rechargeable torchlight, a black face cap, and five Baofeng walkie-talkies (two-way radios)—equipment believed to be used for coordinating criminal operations.

Further investigations revealed that the consignment was reportedly dispatched from Jos, Plateau State, and transported through the Kano State Motor Park in Ilorin, before police intercepted the suspects.

The suspects allegedly confessed that the items were destined for a dreaded bandit leader identified as Nagala Danladi, said to command over 300 heavily armed bandits operating within the Oro-Ago axis of Kwara State.

Intelligence sources further revealed that the arrested suspects are members of a larger criminal syndicate responsible for kidnappings and armed attacks across Kano, Kwara and Niger states. They reportedly admitted to doubling as arms and ammunition suppliers for multiple bandit groups ravaging communities across the region.

Police authorities say the arrests mark a significant blow to bandit logistics and supply chains, as investigations continue to track down other members of the network and dismantle remaining operational cells.

The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.