Kwara State Police Command has arrested 25 suspected armed robbers, ritualists and rescued several victims from the hands of the hoodlums and recovered arms and ammunition. Commissioner of Police, Mr Paul Odama, said: “The command is ready to face the challenges of insecurity in the state.

“Through this process, we have a breakthrough and arrested two kidnappers, neutralised them with the police operatives, vigilance groups and local hunters combined and rescued the two victims in Shao, Moro Local Government. The two victims rescued were Afusat and Taofeek.

“The kidnappers were accosted in the bush by the police while sharing the ransom collected from the family of the victims. Police recovered one Honda Accord Saloon car with Reg. No. Lagos GJ 52 LSR, one single barrel gun and an unspecified amount of money from the hoodlums.

“Police arrested one Ibrahim for alleged murder of his brother. The suspect allegedly administered the late 90-year-old with paracetamol injection mixed with other substances. Operatives also arrested four armed robbers in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun Local Government.

“The suspect robbed a cow seller of N60,000 while the victim was returning from the market in Ajase-Ipo where he went to sell his cow.

Operatives arrested another set of 10 suspected armed robbers who robbed in neighbouring states. Some sophisticated weapons were recovered from them.

“I have warned the hoodlums to stay away from Kwara State because it will be too hot for them. I have encouraged my tactical team to go after the hoodlums and relocate them out of the state.”

Odama warned his officers to shun corruption and imbibe the IGP Usman Baba Aikali vision on community policing: “This will enable the public and the police to work together to flush out the hoodlums from the state.

“We are operating an open door policy. We need the assistance of the public for useful information including the assistance of sister agencies and local hunters and vigilance groups.

“All the arrested suspects will soon be charged to court.”