The Kwara State Police Command has denied reports circulating on social media claiming that suspected Boko Haram members were arrested in Ilorin metropolis, describing the information as false and misleading.
The command warned that the report was capable of creating unnecessary panic and tension among residents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command clarified that no Boko Haram suspect was arrested anywhere in the state.
“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to categorically debunk the false and misleading information currently circulating on social media alleging that operatives of the Command arrested a group of Boko Haram suspects within Ilorin metropolis,” the statement read.
“The Command states emphatically that no Boko Haram member was arrested anywhere within the state, and the report is entirely unfounded, misleading, and capable of generating unnecessary fear and tension among residents.”
The police explained that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit intercepted a truck conveying Fulani travellers during a routine intelligence-led surveillance operation in Ilorin on Tuesday night.
According to the command, the vehicle was stopped around 8 p.m. on May 27 during proactive surveillance operations within the metropolis.
The statement noted that the travellers and the vehicle were professionally screened and thoroughly searched in line with security procedures.
“Following comprehensive checks, no incriminating item, weapon, or security threat was discovered on any of the occupants,” the police stated.
The command added that the travellers identified themselves as being in transit to Jigawa State, while their details were properly documented for security purposes.
It further disclosed that the travellers were later escorted out of Ilorin and allowed to continue their journey after the screening exercise.
Meanwhile, the command announced the arrest of three suspected armed robbers and vandals during a separate intelligence-led operation along the Asa Dam/Dangote Road axis of Ilorin.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit following complaints from residents over alleged criminal activities in the area.
The command said operatives acted on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance around the Tanke area in the early hours of Tuesday.
“The operation led to the arrest of three suspects linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the vandalisation of government-installed solar light infrastructure and armed robbery-related activities within the Asa Dam/Dangote Road axis,” the statement added.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to a wider criminal network operating across parts of Ilorin metropolis.
Items recovered from the suspects included two locally made pistols, pliers and suspected hard drugs allegedly used in carrying out criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, commended the intelligence-driven operations of the VCRU and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime across the state.
He also assured residents that criminal elements would not be allowed to operate freely in Kwara State.
The command urged members of the public to disregard false reports and avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining public peace and security.
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