The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspected armed robbers and the recovery of a stolen motorcycle following an attack on two commuters along the Ali Weree Camp axis of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
According to The Punch, the Command said the suspects were tracked and apprehended after a rapid response operation carried out by its operatives in collaboration with personnel of the National Forest Security Service operating in the area.
The Command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, explained that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 8pm when armed men attacked two commuters who were returning from a market.
According to her, the attackers used sticks and cutlasses to injure the victims before dispossessing them of their motorcycle and escaping from the scene.
She said, “On 4th June 2026 at about 2000hrs, two commuters returning from a market were attacked by a group of armed men wielding sticks and cutlasses along the Ali Weree Camp axis of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
“The assailants inflicted injuries on the victims and forcefully dispossessed them of their motorcycle before fleeing the scene.”
Ejire-Adeyemi further stated that upon receiving the distress report, police operatives immediately launched a coordinated operation in partnership with the National Forest Security Service.
She said the swift response led to the recovery of the stolen motorcycle and the arrest of four suspects identified as Umaru Haruna, Habibu Kale, Kire Yelwa, and Iliyasu Gambo.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately launched a coordinated operation in collaboration with personnel of the National Forest Security Service operating within the area.”
“The operation led to the recovery of the stolen motorcycle and the arrest of four suspects identified as Umaru Haruna, Habibu Kale, Kire Yelwa, and Iliyasu Gambo,” she said.
She added that preliminary investigations showed the suspects jointly participated in the robbery operation.
The police spokesperson also revealed that another suspect, identified only as Sumo, is believed to be the gang leader and remains at large.
“Investigation further revealed that one Sumo, identified as the leader of the criminal gang and believed to be in possession of the group’s weapons, remains at large,” she said.
“Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts have been intensified to apprehend the suspect and recover any arms in his possession,” she added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, praised the operatives for their swift action and the inter-agency collaboration with the National Forest Security Service, describing it as evidence of the command’s commitment to crime fighting.
He said, “The successful recovery of the stolen motorcycle and arrest of the suspects reflects the operational directives and crime-fighting vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, aimed at strengthening intelligence-led policing and enhancing public safety across the country.”
The Command further stated that investigations are ongoing, adding that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing gang leader and recover weapons used by the suspects. It also assured that the arrested individuals will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
In a related development, the Adamawa State Police Command also confirmed the arrest of two suspected armed robbers in Yola-North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the suspects were arrested in connection with separate criminal cases.
“On 3rd June 2026, police operatives arrested one Idris Auwal, 22 years old, a resident of Doubeli Culvert, Yola North Local Government Area,” he said.
