As it is widely believed that no society is immuned to crime, Kwara State in 2018 experienced pockets of crime. Here is a list of major crimes and breakthrough by the security agencies in the state, in the year under review as compiled by AHMED AJIKOBI.
JANUARY
New Year Eve Attack: Hoodlums raped lady in mother’s presence in Ilorin
A young Muslim lady was allegedly raped by hoodlums in the presence of her mother during the New Year eve attack on worshippers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The incident, which occurred around 2am, caused panic among Muslim and Christian worshippers, as several people were injured and properties destroyed by the suspected hoodlums, who invaded the worship centres.
SARS kills notorious Fulani robber, Falae’s Kidnapper, in Moro.
Men of the Federal Security Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) killed one Abacha Abubakar, a notorious Fulani armed robber fingered in the kidnap of former minister, Olu Falae at Bode-Saadu, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In what looked like a movie scene, the F-SARS officers were said to have engaged Abubakar in a gun duel, resulting in gun wounds and the death of one Sgt. Yusuf Machi, who hails from Minna, Niger State, Thursday night.
Gunmen invade Kwara communities, kill 4 vigilantes
No fewer than four local vigilantes were killed by some suspected gunmen who invaded villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving several others injured.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, stated that the gunmen mounted a tent in the National Park, moving from one community to another to terrorise the residents.
FEBRUARY
Hausa/Yoruba Clash: One shot, 7 sustain machete injuries at Ilorin Mandate Market
There was pandemonium on 7th February at Mandate market, Ilorin as Hausa pepper sellers and Yoruba butchers at the facility clashed over parking space right.
Several patrons of the market, traders and passersby scampered for safety in order to avoid being lynched by the warring factions. The incident resulted in gunshot wound for one while seven others were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries mainly from machete attacks.
Kwara Police parades 6 notorious Fulani kidnappers, 21 others
Kwara state police command on 20th February paraded six suspected Fulani kidnappers alleged to be gang members of late Adamu Abacha’s group, who were involved in the abduction of former secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae.
Offa/Ijagbo Clash: 10 houses, 12 cars destroyed, 15 arrested
No fewer than 21 people, including two policemen and one Naval officer sustained injuries following a clash that broke out over land dispute between the neighbouring communities of Offa and Ijagbo in Offa and Oyun Local Government areas of Kwara State sometime in February.
No fewer than 10 buildings, including the Offa Central hotel, 12 cars and motorcycles were either burnt or destroyed in the mayhem even as both communities continued to count their losses.
Land grabbers deploy 50 armed Policemen, hoodlums to destroy buildings in Ilorin
For almost a decade, residents of old Kara market, Kulende area, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State lived peacefully without any public disturbance until 24th of February when land grabbers popularly known as ‘Omo Onile’ invaded the community with 50 armed Policemen and hoodlums, wielding broken bottles, machete, clubs and other dangerous weapons to destroy buildings. The land grabbers were led by one Sulaiman Ajasa.
MARCH
Ekiti communities clash over cashew plantation: Imam, high chief matcheted, hospitalised, houses razed, cars, motorcycles vandalised
The crisis that had threatened Osi and its neighbouring communities, the location of Kwara State University Campus (KWASU) in Ekiti Local Government of the state, took another twist as people of Isare-Opin and Osi engaged in dispute.
Some youths were alleged to have descended on labourers working at the Ekiti Campus of KWASU. Houses, cars and motorcycles were razed and several people injured in the melee.
7 injured, 5 cars, houses, set ablaze in Ifelodun/Edu communities clash
Property worth millions of naira were destroyed as residents of Lakanla, Koloko, Ebama and Nda Rasta communities in Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Areas of Kwara State reportedly clashed over a land dispute at the boundary.
There was tension in the affected communities as a house, five cars and eleven motorcycles were either burnt or destroyed, leaving seven people injured in the fracas.
No fewer than 13 suspected hoodlums from different communities were arrested by men of Kwara State Police Command over the attack. Those reportedly arrested were farmers and students.
APRIL
Trado-medical practitioner nabbed for allegedly killing wife in Ilorin
A trado-medical practitioner, Raji Muftau was arrested by men of the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly killing his wife.
The suspect, who resides at Asa Dam Road, was arrested at night along Osere area, Ilorin, with his wife’s corpse in the car.
He was said to have confessed to be using the corpse of his spouse to boost sales.
Tension as cultists clash in Ilorin
There was pandemonium at Agaka and Baboko areas of Ilorin, Kwara State Capital when cultists clashed. Residents and traders in the affected areas scampered for safety while the onslaught lasted. Sound of sporadic shootings rented the air as the cultists engaged in gun duel, causing panic and palpable tension in the areas.
12 injured as Hausa/Yoruba clash at Sango
There was heightened tension, 1st of April evening at Sango area (Kulende), in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State as Hausa and Yoruba youths clashed over allegation of theft, leaving at least 12 persons injured.
Youths from both camps were said to have wielded dangerous weapons before the situation was brought under control by security operatives.
Offa Banks Robbery Attack
No fewer than 33 lives, including nine policemen in the deadly April 5, Offa banks robbery attack. Dare-devil armed robbers had stormed the town on the fateful day and unleashed terror on the residents. No fewer than seven commercial banks were robbed during the operation.
MAY
Armed Robbery: Kwara Deputy Gov’s security aide arrested, whisked to Abuja
It was end of road for Sergeant Abdulazeez Isiaka, a security aide of the Kwara State deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, who was allegedly arrested for being member of a car robbery syndicate.
It was learnt that the suspect, popularly known as Osho, was arrested by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) of the State Police Command following a tip off about 18 days earlier.
It was further learnt that the suspect, whose case has since been transferred to the force headquarters, was whisked to Abuja by the response Team of the Inspector General of Police.
Kaiama Robbery: Kwara Police arrests 19 suspects, recovers 3 Ak47
The Kwara State Police Command arrested 19 suspects in connection with the armed robbery attack in Kaiama communities. The robbery gang had attacked Tunga, Maje, Nuku and Woro, among others on 22nd of January in the year under review. No fewer than four men of the Vigilante group of Nigeria lost their lives during the robbery attack.
Codeine Ban: NDLEA arrest 17 suspects, recover 600 bottles of drug in Ilorin
Following the ban by the Federal Government that no company should produce codeine again, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command arrested 17 suspects drug dealers in different parts of the state while trying to smuggle the drugs to other destinations for sale.
JUNE
One year after, Police arrest Ilorin cleric who killed friend, exhumed corpse for ritual
The long arm of law finally caught up with an Ilorin Islamic Cleric, Folorunsho Olayinka, who allegedly killed his friend for rituals, a year after he committed the crime. It was gathered that the suspect who has been on the run since he allegedly perpetrated the criminal act, was arrested eventually in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
JULY
Armed robbers shrine uncovered in Ilorin
Residents of Olorunsogo community in Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin, Kwara State were thrown into confusion following the discovery of a shrine operated by armed robbers in the area. The shrine was uncovered by the police’s Abba Kyari’s Intelligence Respond Team (IRT) during an operation, which led to arrest of three suspects.
Several injured as commercial motorcyclists, Sango residents clash in Ilorin
Several persons were injured following a fracas that broke out in Sango area of Ilorin, Kwara State. The clash between commercial motorcyclists and residents, caused palpable tension in the community on the fateful day.
Unilorin 200 Level student goes missing
A student of University of Ilorin, Aisha Kuranga was declared missing by the school management.
The 19-year-old Aisha, who is a student of department of Educational Technology in the institution, disappeared without a trace on 24th July, 2018.
AUGUST
Many feared dead in Eyenkorin robbery attack
Unconfirmed number of people were said to have been killed around 1:30 am on the day as armed robbers launched attack on motorists at Eyenkorin, Ilorin, Kwara State.
It was gathered that most of the victims were those travelling from Lagos and Ibadan to celebrate Eid- el Kabir with their families and loved ones in Ilorin.
SEPTEMBER
Kwara Police nabbed 13 suspected Badoo cultists
Men of Kwara State police command apprehended 13 suspected Badoo cultists in connection with the clash between members of the Badoo confraternity and men of the vigilante group at Isale Jagun area, Okelele, Ilorin.
Police killed by hit and run driver
A policeman with the Kwara State Command, Woriola Thompson was sent to an early grave after he was hit by a commercial vehicle.
The incident was said to have happened along the Oke-Onigbin-Omu-Aran road, while the deceased policeman alongside his colleague were on ‘stop and search’ duty.
OCTOBER
Alleged notorious cultist, Kale Bayero, nabbed in Ilorin
After being declared wanted for about three years, notorious cultist, Kale Bayero was arrested by a Joint Community Team (JCT) at his Ogidi area hideout in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.
The JCT had launched man hunt for Bayero following the terror his boys unleashed on Eruda community after he hit a passer-by with his car in the area and immediately sped off.
NOVEMBER
Alleged Rituals: Cleric, hospital attendant arrested over stolen placenta
Kwara State Police command arrested a Muslim cleric, Salaudeen Ibrahim and hospital attendant with Capstone Hospital Taiwo road, Ilorin, Fatima Sulaiman for allegedly selling placenta of a baby delivered in the hospital.
It was gathered that the hospital attendant sold the placenta to the cleric for N20,000 for money rituals.
Offa Banks Robbery: Police confirm death of Adikwu
Five months after National Pilot exclusively reported the alleged death of Michael Adikwu, the principal Suspect and armourer in the deadly April 5, Offa banks robbery attack that allegedly claimed about 33 lives, including nine policemen, Police confirmed the death of the principal suspect.
The dismissed SARS corporal was said to have died in police custody.
DECEMBER
Unilorin student commits suicide
A student of University of Ilorin, Adigun Emmanuel Adewale of the Faculty of Agriculture committed suicide. A statement signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said the deceased was a drug addict.
Octogenarian, 2 others arrested for exhuming corpses in Kwara
An octogenarian, Pa Samuel Idowu Iroko was arrested by men of the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly exhuming corpses from cemeteries in Oke-Onigbin, Isin Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was arrested by security operatives alongside his accomplices, Abraham Steven from Kogi State and Ahmed Lateef, following tip off.
