Kwara State Police Command has paraded 46 persons suspected to be bandits, amid heightened security operations in the state.
According to security sources, the suspects were intercepted on Thursday while riding motorcycles around the Babanla axis of Ifelodun Local Government Area. They were later transported to the state police headquarters in Ilorin in a white Coaster bus under tight security.
The arrest follows weeks of surveillance in areas notorious for violent attacks and kidnappings. The Babanla community has been under tension in recent weeks after a series of bandit attacks left residents dead and several others abducted.
This wave of violence sparked speculation on social media, with viral posts alleging that the traditional ruler of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Adegboyega Yusuf, Arojojoye II, and his queens were among those apprehended. The online reports further claimed that N120 million traced to proceeds of banditry was recovered — N90 million from the palace and N30 million from the queen’s bank account.
But addressing journalists, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, dismissed the viral claims as false, insisting that the monarch remains on his throne and was never arrested.
“You will discover that the story of the Oba of Babanla being in custody was already circulating before myself and other service chiefs visited the community.
“We, together with the governor, met the traditional ruler in his palace. So presently, I don’t have any traditional ruler in my custody. And the millions of naira they are talking about — the way you are hearing it is the way I am hearing it. If I don’t see the story from national or mainstream media platforms, we should discard it,” CP Ojo stated.
The police confirmed that the 46 suspects are currently undergoing profiling and assured the public that those found guilty will face prosecution.
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