By Ahmed Ajikobi
As the curtain lifts on 2021, National Pilot flashes back on the major crime events that occurred in Kwara State in the year gone past.
Ile Arugbo: Security agents shoot live bullets at aged women?
One of the major crime events that happened during the year was the use of live bullets against aged women in the Ile-Arugbo which led to question, “who ordered use of live bullets against aged women?”
The incident which occurred around January last year during the demolition of Ile arugbo, generated reactions from the affected women, petition from PDP to National Human Right Commission and also attracted attention of police that investigated the shooting.
A report by this medium queried โWho approved the use of live ammunition to be fired against harmless and defenseless aged women in Kwara during the demolition of Ile Arugbo by the state Government?
“The question has remained unanswered more than ten days since the incident took place, but the police said investigation on the matter is still ongoing.” The vol.31 No 5 Mon.13th-Wed.15th January reads.
Lebanon returnee kidnapped, released
Police arrest man for murder of friend, 16 for attacking police officers
Another major crime event last year was the kidnap and subsequent release of Lebanon returnee, Omolola Ajayi, which happened in January.
The incident led to arrest of two Nigerians and Lebanese after a video where Ajayi was pleading for help went viral on social media.
Also in January last year, Kwara police paraded 16 suspects for allegedly unleashing terror on security agents. The suspects allegedly matcheted police officers on duty. Also another suspect one Jamiu was arrested for murder of his friend.
Smuggling: Customs sieze 10,201 bags of foreign rice, tramadol, others in Kwara
Among the major crime that occured in 2020 was the siezure of banned items such as foreign rice and tramadol made by the Joint border operation drill, north Central Zone command in January . The siezure were illegally imported into the country from neighbouring countries through the border.
Kwara Poly students dies mysteriously after spiritual bath
In February last year, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic was found dead after allegedly having spiritual bath.
The incident according to sources who were privy to the scenario occurred in Ara, one of the villages within vicinity of the institution.
Until his death, the victim, Owotoke Atanda, it was gathered,was an HND II student of Accounting Department and the course Rep of the class.
Islamic cleric remanded for allegedly using hot knife to inflict multiple burns on minor in Ilorin
Also in February, a 40- year-old Islamic Cleric, Wasiu Farooq of Onilaru, Ogidi area, Ilorin was remanded at is Oke- Kura correctional service for allegedly inflicting multiple knife burns on the buttocks, thighs and face of his 10- year-old nephew.
Another Kwara Poly student dies in mysterious circumstance
In the month of February, less than a week after death of a HND II student of Kwara State polytechnic, Ilorin, another student of institution, Olarewaju Oluwasheun of Business Administration Department was reportedly killed in mysterious circumstance.
It was gathered that the incident happened around Tanke, Ilorin when the deceased reportedly went out with some of his friends in the company of his girlfriend. The girl who had earlier left their company returned to find her late lover gasping for breath surrounded by his friends and rush to hospital at Geri Alimi, Ilorin where he later gave up the ghost.
Investigation by police revealed that the deceased and friends consumed hard drugs called scushi.
Geri-Alimi ATM Robbery: Gunmen kill police officer
In the month of February, 2020, ATM armed robbers attacked police officers on patrol at Geri Alimi Ilorin. During a gun battle, the robbery gang killed a police Inspector, Isiaka Taofeeq Amuda.
Smuggling: Kwara Customs sieze 48 sacks of marijuana, items worth N448m
In the month of February last year, the Comptroller of Customs, Ahmed Bello disclosed that, the command has secured tbe siezure of 48 sack of canabis sativa known as marijuana,16 units of various types of vehicles,953 bags of foreign rice,4,357 bags of mosquito coil and one hundred and eighty four 25 litres Jerry cans of PMS.
Border Closure: Customs sieze guns, 57 vehicles, bags of rice, other items worth 135m in Kwara
In its fight against smuggling in the state, the North Central Zone of the Nigerian Customs Service confiscated items and goods worth over N135m, last year March in Kwara.
The smuggled items included five long single barrel guns, 57 vehicles of various brands, 1,355 bags of foreign rice, bags of dried yam flour of 1000kg, 1728 Jerry cans of PMS and engine oil.
Suspected cultists allegedly missed target, kill 21-yr-old Jambite in Ilorin
In June last year, there was pandemonium in eErubu area of Emir’s road, Ilorin following invasion of unidentified suspected cultists, who unleashed terror in the area.
A 21 year-old Jambite simply identified as Azeez was said to have been killed by the suspected cultists during the attack.
20-yr-old girl allegedly raped to death in Ilorin
A 20 -year- old student of Bartholomew College of Health Technology, Shao in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Safau Omowumi was reportedly raped to death sometime in July last year.
Her remains was founded beside a river at Oko-Oba in Gerewu village, Ilorin in the morning with matchete cut on her head.
COVID-19: Police arrest Kwara Hotel clubbers who escaped from isolation center
Also in July last year, about four persons who reportedly escaped from the isolation centre at Hajj camp road in Ilorin were rearrested.
The four persons were among the fifty that were arrested by the state government while clubbing at Kwara Hotel in violation of the COVID-19 protocols.
Marijuana: Clash over hike in price claims one life in Ilorin
At least one person lost his life during a clash between two suspected vigilantes groups, in Oloje area of Ilorin, Kwara State, in July of the previous year.
It was gathered that suspected vigilantes from Oloje and Alapansapa area engaged in a gun duel following argument over price of marijuana.
Kwara police command dismisses four police officers, sanction 8 over misconduct
In August, 2020, the Kwara State Police Commissioner, Kayode Egbetokun approved the dismissal of four police officers found guilty of serious offences bothering on gross indiscipline.
Also eight others were awarded various punishment after facing the orderly room trial.
Clampdown: NDLEA arrests 280 in Kwara for drug abuse
Kwara State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) in August, last year, arrested no fewer than 280 suspects for being in possession of hard drugs.
In an interview with this medium, the state Commander of the NDLEA, Ambrose Umar, disclosed that out of the total number arrested,233 were males and 57 female.
Also in August last year, former Coordinator, Joint Border Drill Operations, North Central Zone Sector 3 of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Muhammed Garba said the operatives had made siezure of 56 vehicles,1433 bags among other contraband items worth N91,490,140.
Two in police net over death of pregnant woman in Ilorin
Also in August, two people were arrested over death of pregnant woman in Ilorin.
The corpse of the pregnant woman was allegedly discovered at about 10pm on Saturday at Asileke compound, off Adangba- Omoda road in the state capital as residents alerted the police, following the discovery of the corpse allegedly dumped at the frontage of a popular herbalist’s house in the area.
Drama as suspect who attempted to murder friends now escapes from NSCDC custody in Ilorin
A suspect escaped from custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) custody, Kwara State Command, last year August.
It was gathered that, the suspect who is a Fulani man was arrested for attempted murder of some of his friends recently.
Confirming the incident, the state Public Relations Officer of Kwara State NSCDC command, Ayeni Olasunkanmi during telephone interview told our reporter that the suspect escaped by destroying the burglary of the cell where he was held.
Kwara Miyetti Allah leader kidnapped, release
In September, 2020, A former leader of Miyetti Allah in Kwara State and the Sarkin Fulani, Alh. Usman Adamu was kidnapped and later released.
His release was secured after his abductors dumped him somewhere around Niger State.
He was reportedly kidnapped close to Kwara State Polytechnic gate in Ilorin on his way back from the popular Kara market in Share, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Gunmen stab, abduct Kwara doctors
In September, 2020, gunmen attacked two Kwara doctors kidnapping one of them in the process,Dr Toyeeb Yusuf who was traveling to his place of work in Niger State.
During the incident which happened along Ogbomoso- Ilorin express way, the other victim, Dr. Jaiyeola was stabbed in the chest.
Customs sieze 5,588 fake HIV drugs, fertilizer bags worth N127m in Kwara
In the month of October, the Border Drill Operations North Central Zone, Sector 3 made a seizure of 5,588 contraband items worth N127,222,800 in various part of the State.
This was made known to journalist by the former Border Drill Coordinator, now Acting Assistant Comptroller General, Muhammed Uba Garba.
Scandal rocks Ilorin Islamic sect, Jabata as wife of member dies with pregnancy
… victim’s family alleged abduction, burial without consent
In the month of October last year, a member of Jabata, popular Islamic sector in Ilorin, Kwara State, Jamiu Deji Iyanda was dragged to court for alleged abduction and burying of a 28 -year -old lady, Hanifa Bashir without her family consent.
It was gathered that, the suspect who allegedly forcefully married the deceased didn’t not consult Hanifa’s family before burying her after she died during childbirth at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin.
Kwara finance director kidnapped, released after payment of ransom
In October 2020, a Director in the Kwara State Civil Service, Alhaji. Hakeem Olarewaju Idris was kidnapped by gunmen early and subsequently released.
His release, it was gathered followed the payment of an undisclosed amount of ransom some days after demanded by his abductors, the sum of which could not be independently verified last night.
Idris was abducted by his captors on October 7,2020, while reportedly returning from his farm at Alapa in Asa Local Government Area of the state when he was waylaid.
Gunmen kill woman pregnant with twins in Ilorin
In November last year, armed robbers reportedly killed a middle aged pregnant woman, Abibat Mustapha, at Oke- Fomo area of Ilorin, Kwara State.
It was gathered that the suspected gunmen stormed the residence of a cow dealer simply identify as Mustapha at night, murdered the pregnant woman and abducted a teenager.
Late Waziriโs Fidau: One dead, 4 arrested in GRA shooting
Also in November, following the shooting at Ilofa road, GRA, Ilorin, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the arrest of four suspects.
The then state Commissioner of Police , Kayode Egbetokun in a telephone interview with our reporter confirmed that the incident was fall out of clash between rival cult groups.
Ilorin bound passengers kidnapped, abducts demand ransom
In November, kidnappers of Ilorin bound passengers demanded N5m ransom from their families.
It was reported that the suspects called the victims’ relatives to pay up the ransomed and threatened to kill their victims if they failed to pay.
NDLEA sieze cocaine, marijuana, tramadol weighing up to 4,349.009 kg in Kwara
…arrests 319 suspects
In December last year, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State command made seizure of cocaine, canabis sativa, tramadol among other related hard drugs of about 4249.009 kilograms.
This was made known by the command’s Commander, Ambrose Umoru during an interview with our reporter at the weekend.
Umoru further said that all the items were recovered from the smugglers in various parts of the state and Ilorin metropolis.
