Kwara Security Operatives Arrest 46 Suspects in Ifelodun Crackdown

Kwara Security Operatives Arrest 46 Suspects in Ifelodun Crackdown

By Abiola Adigun

Security forces in Kwara State have intensified operations to rid rural communities of criminal elements, with the arrest of 46 suspected hostile non-state actors in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA).
The suspects, who were intercepted on motorcycles, are being profiled by law enforcement authorities as part of ongoing efforts to secure Kwara’s border communities and forestall infiltration by armed groups.
Officials say the operation is one of several coordinated moves to curb insecurity in vulnerable areas. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has repeatedly emphasized his administration’s support for security agencies, including provision of vehicles, motorcycles, and logistics to improve surveillance and patrols.
Speaking on the development, a senior security source explained that the arrests were a product of sustained intelligence gathering.
“The state government has been consistent in backing joint security operations across Kwara. What happened in Babanla is a clear example of proactive action to deter criminals before they strike,” the source said.
Ifelodun, the largest LGA in Kwara, borders Kogi state, making it strategically important in the fight against banditry and kidnapping. The government has identified the axis as a critical point for monitoring the movement of suspected criminals, particularly those displaced by ongoing military offensives.
By focusing on border corridors like Babanla, authorities hope to check the spread of insecurity into Kwara’s interior towns and protect farming settlements, which are crucial to the state’s food security.
Residents of Babanla expressed relief over the arrests, noting that the presence of large groups of unknown motorcyclists had heightened fear in recent months. The government has urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information.
Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, while reacting to the incident, said:
“The arrest of these suspects shows that government and security agencies are on top of the situation. Kwara will not allow criminal elements to destabilize our communities. We urge residents to continue to be vigilant and law-abiding.”
Security experts believe the latest development underlines the benefits of closer coordination between state and federal forces in tackling rural insecurity.
As profiling of the suspects continues, authorities maintain that the clampdown in Babanla is only one phase of a broader security framework for Kwara. With the support of local vigilantes, traditional rulers, and security agencies, the state government says it is determined to keep Kwara safe and prevent the infiltration of hostile groups.
For now, the arrests represent a significant victory for security forces and a reassurance to residents that the government is tightening its grip against criminal threats in Ifelodun and beyond.