Kwara State Government Denies Claims of Vigilante Arming and Clarifies Arrests in Edo

The Kwara State Government has refuted claims that armed bandits were arrested in Ifelodun Local Government Area, labeling the reports as misinformation. Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, confirmed that no security agency, including the Nigerian Army, reported any such arrests in Kwara.

She clarified that the suspects were apprehended in Auchi, Edo State, not Kwara. The government reviewed a viral video where the arrested individuals mentioned operating with a vehicle from the 'Ilorin Government' and weapons sourced from Abuja.

Olukoju emphasized that no state government has the authority to arm individuals with AK-47 rifles. The vehicle in question was assigned to local vigilante operatives but has since not been returned after their withdrawal from Ifelodun. The government called for improved inter-agency cooperation to tackle banditry and violent crime.