Police operatives have arrested a suspected cultist, identified as Agboola Olamilekan, in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

The suspect was arrested in a joint security operation during which one firearm was also recovered, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi in Ilorin on Wednesday.

“The operation, carried out by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit, led to the arrest of Agboola Olamilekan, a suspected cultist, who was found in possession of the locally fabricated firearm. 

“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,” the statement added.

State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the operational momentum against cultism and other violent crimes, noting that every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing.

He said investigation was ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.

 He reaffirmed that the state police command remained steadfast in advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic partnerships, and sustained operations aimed at dismantling criminal groups.

Men of Oyo State Police command have arrested no fewer than three suspects in connection with vandalisation of some critical infrastructure in the State, worth 200 million naira. 

The command disclosed this in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, made available to DAILY POST Wednesday morning. 

Ayanlade explained that the suspects were arrested at Gambari, Orile-Igbon area. 

The suspects, according to him, include: Waheed Ayinde, Muhammed Sani and Hassan Ibrahim. 

He said they were arrested in connection with the illegal movement of vandalised railway tracks. 

Ayanlade said, “The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against economic sabotage and the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure with the arrest of three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and the recovery of stolen rail tracks valued at approximately Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000.00).

“The breakthrough followed a timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public. Acting on the credible intelligence, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit swiftly mobilised to Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State, where they intercepted the suspects on 14 July 2026 at about 1:45 p.m. before the stolen railway materials could be moved to their final destination.

“The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde ‘M’ (54 years), Muhammed Sani ‘M’ (27 years), and Hassan Ibrahim ‘M’ (22 years), were arrested in connection with the illegal movement of vandalised railway tracks. Recovered during the operation were vandalised rail tracks estimated to be worth N200 million and a HOWO truck bearing registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used in conveying the stolen items”. 

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Police tactical operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, have rescued 11 kidnap victims after a gun battle with suspected bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the operation was launched at about 9:00pm, on July 11 after security operatives received intelligence that suspected armed bandits were moving through the area with abducted victims and rustled cattle.

Makama reported that the joint security team intercepted the suspects near Mangoro Village in Mariga Local Government Area, where a gun battle ensued.

“The security team intercepted the bandits near Mangoro Village in Mariga LGA, where they engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of gunfire,” the report stated.

The report added that the suspected bandits fled into the surrounding bush after the gun battle, abandoning the kidnapped victims, who were rescued unharmed.

The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Sale, Muhammadu, Abubakar Ibrahim, Naziru Hamza, Ali Ibrahim, Abubakar Mohd, Ibrahim Abubakar, Dan Asabe Garba, Yunusa Musa, Musa Peter and Bilyaminu Ibrahim, all residents of Beri, Dogon-Fadama and Kagara communities.

Makama further reported that the victims have since been reunited with their families.

He added that security operatives have continued monitoring and combing operations across the area in an effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the rustled cattle.