How Kwara Police command uncovers 98 rounds of live ammunition hidden in Garri

The Kwara State Police Command on Friday announced that it has discovered 98 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag of garri.

Ojo Adekimi, the state Commissioner of Police, who stated this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin the state capital,

also revealed that they have uncovered a string of criminal activities, including arms smuggling, kidnapping networks, cultism, and illegal possession of human parts, reaffirming its resolve to clamp down on criminal acts across the state.

Adekimi, explained that the Command’s recent successes were driven by intelligence gathering, strategic patrols, and collaboration with other security agencies.

The police boss explained that: “On the 10th of April, 2026, at about 1300 hours, operatives of Operation Harmony, Kwara State Command, acting on actionable intelligence while maintaining strategic stop-and-search operations along the Ajase-lpo Road, intercepted an

unregistered Toyota Previa vehicle painted in multiple colors (wine, ash, and yellow).

“During a search on the vehicle, a total of ninety-eight (98) rounds of live ammunition, comprising twenty (20) rounds of assault ammunition and seventy-eight (78) rounds of AK-47 ammunition was recovered. The ammunition were concealed inside a bag of garri, apparently to evade detection.

“Subsequent intelligence-driven operations led to the arrest of one Umar Abdulmumeen M, who was identified as a key facilitator in the illegal arms transaction. Investigation revealed that the suspect had received the sum of One Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira (1,300,000.00) from one Abdullahi M, currently at large, for the procurement of the said ammunition.

“The suspects currently in custody are cooperating with ongoing investigations and have provided credible and actionable intelligence, which is being exploited by

the Command. Concerted efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network, to fully dismantle the syndicate.”

In a separate operation, police arrested two suspects over a shop-breaking incident in Odota, where goods worth about N2.5 million were stolen. Although the suspects denied involvement in the theft, they admitted belonging to the notorious Eiye confraternity.

An empty AK-47 magazine was recovered from their residence, raising further suspicion about their involvement in broader criminal activities.

The Command also cracked down on cult-related activities in the Ganmo area of Ilorin, where two suspects were arrested with a locally fabricated shotgun and a live cartridge. The suspects were said to be members of a cult group terrorising residents.

In another development, operatives intercepted a 29-year-old suspect during routine patrol along the Oro-Ago axis. He was found in possession of several items, including mobile phones, chargers, a POS machine, and other personal effects. His inability to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items led to his detention, with investigations ongoing to determine possible links to kidnapping activities.

In a shocking case, police in Kaiama arrested a suspect for attempting to sell a human skull. Investigations revealed that the suspect, alongside an accomplice now at large, allegedly exhumed the remains of a deceased relative to retrieve the skull for ritual purposes.

Reacting to the developments, Adekimi said the Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend fleeing suspects and dismantle all criminal networks operating within the state.

“The Command remains resolute, proactive, and unrelenting in its mandate to protect lives and property. These achievements clearly show that criminal elements will find no safe haven in Kwara State.

“These operational breakthroughs demonstrate that we are not just reacting to crime but actively preventing and disrupting criminal networks before they pose threats to public safety,” he said.

He assured residents that security measures across the state have been strengthened, including increased patrols and surveillance, and urged the public to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with credible information.

“Security is a collective responsibility. With the continued cooperation of the public, we will sustain peace and safety across Kwara State,” the Commissioner added.