The Kwara State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on criminal networks in the State, following the arrest of a 20-yearold suspect allegedly linked to banditry recruitment in the Kaiama axis of the state.

The suspect, identified as Mallami Abubakar, was apprehended in the early hours of April 1, 2026, during a coordinated patrol involving police operatives, National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group.

The operation took place in the Nanu community, a location considered strategic in the fight against cross-border crimes. According to the State Police Command, Abubakar, who hails from Isanlu Dankuturu in neighbouring Kogi State, was intercepted during routine surveillance aimed at curbing the movement of criminal elements within the region.

Preliminary findings from the investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been lured into a recruitment network by an associate simply identified as Babi, said to be based in Babana village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

He was reportedly en route to Farinsuni through Baruten Local Government Area, where he was to join a group believed to have links with ISWAP and Lakurawa factions before his arrest.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and assisting with investigations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the network and dismantle the recruitment chain.