The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist and recovered a locally made pistol during a joint security operation in Ilorin, the state capital.
The suspect, identified as Agboola Olamilekan, was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation carried out by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit.
The suspect was found in possession of a locally fabricated firearm at the time of his arrest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the operation formed part of the command’s broader strategy to deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate in the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing.
She said, “The operation forms part of the Command’s sustained efforts to disrupt cult-related activities, curb the proliferation of illegal firearms, and deny criminal elements the opportunity to thrive within Kwara State.”
Ejire-Adeyemi added that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
She assured residents that the police would continue to intensify efforts to ensure those threatening public peace are brought to justice.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the operational momentum against cultism and other violent crimes, stressing that security agencies would not relent in their efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
Adekimi said, “Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing.”
He further stated that the command remained committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic partnerships and sustained operations aimed at dismantling criminal groups across the state.