Kwara denies bandit arrests, warns against false reports

The Kwara State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the Nigerian Army arrested armed bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, describing the claims as false and capable of causing public panic.

In a statement issued on Sunday night by the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, the state said no security agency, including the Nigerian Army, carried out any arrest of armed bandits in Ifelodun or any part of Kwara State.

“The Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandits in any part of Ifelodun. No security agency ever reported such arrests in Kwara,” Olukoju said.

She explained that the clarification became necessary following the circulation of a short video on social media in which some arrested individuals allegedly claimed to be in possession of a vehicle given to them by the “Ilorin Government” and weapons purportedly received “from Abuja”.

According to the commissioner, preliminary checks revealed that the suspects were not arrested in Kwara State.

“They were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State. While the content of the video and the circumstances surrounding the suspects are still being investigated, it is important to clarify that they were not arrested in Ifelodun or anywhere in Kwara,” she said.

Olukoju also debunked insinuations that the state government armed the suspects, stressing that no state government has the power to issue or distribute AK-47 rifles.

“Indeed, no state government has the authority to arm anyone with an AK-47. At no point did the individuals in the video state that the Kwara State Government gave them any weapon,” she added.

Providing further clarification, the commissioner said the Ifelodun Local Government Authority had explained that the security van referenced in the video was earlier provided to vigilantes deployed to strengthen security in the area.

“The vigilantes have since left Ifelodun, but the local government repeatedly complained to the relevant authorities that its vehicle was not returned to its pool,” she said.

She urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration in the fight against banditry and other violent crimes.

“To win the war against banditry, we need enhanced inter-agency coordination, intelligence sharing and cooperation among security agencies,” Olukoju said.

The state government also warned bloggers and online media platforms against spreading unverified information, noting that misinformation could threaten public peace and safety.

“We urge the public and media platforms to avoid biased assimilation or misrepresentation of information, as such actions pose an existential threat to human life and public peace,” the statement read.

In recent months, Kwara State has recorded heightened public sensitivity to security issues, particularly in border communities, making authorities wary of false reports capable of triggering fear and unrest.