Suspected bandits arrested by Nigerian Army troops in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have made serious allegations that they received AK-47 rifles and a patrol vehicle from Kwara State government officials.
The suspects were arrested during a military operation in the area after soldiers intercepted them while they were allegedly patrolling with assault rifles in what appeared to be a local security patrol vehicle. The arrest has since drawn public attention following the circulation of a video online showing the suspects being questioned by soldiers.
In the video, the arrested men were seen lying face down on the ground with their hands tied as soldiers interrogated them about their activities and the source of the weapons found in their possession. During the questioning, one of the suspects claimed that the rifles and the patrol vehicle were provided by officials of the Kwara State government.
Speaking in a mix of Hausa and Nigerian Pidgin, the suspect said they had been operating in the area for some time under the cover of security patrol duties. He insisted that they were not criminals acting on their own but were carrying out activities with official backing.
“We have been here for quite a while. We are using the vehicle for patrol. Wallahi, na the truth I dey tell you,” the suspect said in the video. “Ilorin government na him give us this motor and the weapons. They were the ones that gave us the rifles.”
The suspect further claimed that the rifles were not handed directly to him but to their leader, whom he referred to as “our oga.” According to him, several people were involved in the arrangement, and the weapons did not belong to the group personally.
“We are not the ones that collected the rifles; it was our oga that collected them,” he said. “I know because I was with them. We go patrol many times with them, including oga Victor. All of them are involved. The weapons are theirs.”
Throughout the interrogation, the suspect repeatedly denied ownership of the rifles, swearing by God that the weapons were not privately owned by the group. Other detainees in the video were seen with their hands tied, chanting religious phrases as soldiers continued their questioning.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State government has not issued an official response to the allegations made by the suspects. The Nigerian Army has also not released a formal statement confirming the details of the arrest or addressing the claims made in the video.
The development has raised serious concerns among residents and security watchers, especially given ongoing efforts by the government to curb banditry and illegal possession of firearms across the country.
Kwara State has largely been considered one of the relatively peaceful states in North-Central Nigeria compared to neighbouring states such as Niger and Zamfara, which have witnessed frequent bandit attacks. However, in recent years, parts of Kwara, especially border communities, have experienced rising cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, and suspected bandit activities.
Ifelodun Local Government Area, where the suspects were arrested, is one of the rural areas of Kwara State where residents rely heavily on farming and trading. Security challenges in such areas are often linked to weak security presence, poor road networks, and proximity to forests that criminals use as hideouts.
In response to growing insecurity across Nigeria, many state governments have supported local security initiatives, including vigilante groups and community patrols, to complement the efforts of the police and the military. These groups are often provided with patrol vehicles, communication equipment, and, in some cases, uniforms to help them identify threats and report suspicious activities.
However, the possession of firearms, especially military-grade weapons like AK-47 rifles, is strictly regulated under Nigerian law. Only authorised security agencies are permitted to carry such weapons, and any arming of non-state actors is considered illegal.
Human rights groups have also expressed concern over the increasing circulation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. According to experts, illegal arms fuel violence, criminality, and insecurity, making it harder for security agencies to maintain peace.
In recent years, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to recover illegal weapons and dismantle criminal networks across the country. The Nigerian Army, police, and other security agencies regularly carry out operations to arrest suspected bandits and recover arms.
The arrest of the suspects in Kwara comes at a time when public trust in security institutions remains fragile. Many Nigerians have repeatedly called for transparency and clear communication from authorities whenever serious allegations emerge.
Residents of Ifelodun and surrounding communities have expressed mixed reactions to the video. While some say the claims should be treated with caution, others are calling for an independent investigation to establish the truth.
“This is a very serious allegation,” a resident said. “If it is not true, the government should come out and deny it clearly. If it is true, then those responsible must be punished.”
Under Nigerian law, suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Security sources say investigations are ongoing to determine the identity of the arrested men, the origin of the weapons, and whether they have links to any criminal activities.
For now, the video continues to circulate widely on social media, sparking debate and concern across the state and beyond. Many Nigerians are watching closely to see how the authorities will respond.