The recovery was made at around 11:00 pm along the Bode Saadu axis of the Moro local government area of the state from a member of the gang who was on the run, according to a statement from the police public relations officer PPRO Okasanmi Ajayi, speaking on behalf of the state commissioner of police Paul Odama.
A police team assigned to monitor the axis allegedly noticed and flagged down the suspect, who was on a Bajaj motorbike, but the culprit swiftly abandoned his vehicle and sped away into the surrounding brush.
The suspect's backpack included two AK-47 guns, seven empty magazines, fifty live rounds of AK-47 ammunition, three Techno handsets, eleven telephone handset batteries, criminal charms, clothes, and N255,000.00.
“The good people of Kwara state will recall that the command issued a statement assuring citizens and residents of the state of their security and safety throughout the holiday season. The promise prompted Cp Paul Odama, psc (+), to marshal some strategies to ensure a secure Kwara state.
“Thankfully, one of the major results of the strategy was recorded on December 31, 2022, at about 2300 hours, along the Bode Saadu axis of Moro LGA, when a detachment of policemen detailed to monitor the axis sighted and flagged down a Bajaj motorcycle operator for a routine check.
“Surprisingly, the rider of the motorcycle jumped down from the motorcycle and ran into the bush. A search of the bag tied to the motorcycle revealed its contents, which include, 1. Two AK-47 rifles; 2. Seven empty magazines 3. Fifty rounds of AK-47 live ammunition. 4. Three Techno handsets; 5. Eleven telephone handset batteries; 6. Criminal charms; 7. clothes, 8. and the sum of N255,000.00.
“Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect, who is strongly believed to be one of the kidnappers operating around the border towns of Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara states are ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara state, has promised to exert the necessary pressure to see that the fleeing suspects and his gang members are arrested. “
He reassured the people of Kwara state that the command is committed to maintaining the state’s reputation as a peaceful place to live, and he asked for the public’s help in keeping them informed about police actions and reporting any suspicious behaviour they observe.
He hoped that the citizens of Kwara state will have a prosperous and peaceful new year.