Police arrest 17 criminal suspects in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 17 suspects over alleged criminal offences ranging from cruelty to a child to the recovery of suspected human body parts and the exhumation of graves.

At a press conference in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed that two suspects, Abu Jimoh and Ayo Jimoh, were arrested in connection with the alleged exhumation of graves at a cemetery in Omupo community, Kwara South Senatorial District, on October 8, 2026, at about 5 a.m.

“The suspects confessed to the crime during investigation and mentioned one Mukaila Bello, a herbalist, as the buyer,” the police commissioner added.

Three other suspects were paraded in connection with alleged abuse of a child, Misturah Babatunde, in the Idigba area of Adewole quarters, Ilorin. They were identified as Babatunde Mustapha, the victim’s biological father; Abdulrahman Mustapha, her stepfather; and Bashirat Abdul Fatai, a neighbour.

According to the police commissioner, the girl disclosed that she was beaten with an electrical wire and had her buttocks burnt with a hot coal pot.

“The incident involved her biological father, her stepfather and a neighbour.

“Following the report, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department on October 9, 2026, and referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking, Women and Children Protection Unit for discreet investigation.”

Police operatives also recovered suspected human hands from two suspects, identified as Kamalden Lukmon and Abdulganiyu Ibrahim, who were arrested on October 8, 2026, at about 4 p.m. during an operation along Bakase Road, Alapa, in Moro Local Government Area of the state.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects stated that they intended to use the body parts for money-making rituals.

“They also alleged that one Abdulraf Apata, a vigilante, handed the body parts over to them.”

The police said they were investigating the claims to establish the facts and determine whether other persons were involved.

Other suspects paraded included Abubakar Usman, also known as “Jaye”, over alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery; Saba Ismail, for allegedly belonging to a gang of thieves; Ahmadu Dahiru, who was allegedly linked to four kidnapping incidents; and Umaru Ahmadu, who was linked to an alleged kidnapping in Okeya.

Salihu Seidu was also paraded over the alleged murder of Lawal Umar, which occurred on October 6, 2026, at a Fulani camp in Agah village, Moro Local Government Area.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect travelled from Temidire to the deceased’s camp on the night of October 6, entered the tent while other occupants were asleep and attacked the deceased with a machete before fleeing.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing, claiming that he believed the deceased was responsible for the death of his son about two weeks earlier,” the police commissioner added.