The Kwara State Government has come forward to deny reports circulating on social media that the Nigerian Army apprehended armed bandits within the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, labeling the claims as false and misleading.
The clarification, issued by Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bola Olukoju, came in response to a viral video. In the video, several individuals, identified as suspects, alleged they were supplied with arms and a vehicle by the “Ilorin Government.”
In a statement on Sunday, the 14th of December, 2025, the government asserted that no armed bandit was arrested by the Army or any other security agency in Ifelodun or any part of Kwara State.
“Kwara State Government wishes to clarify that the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandit in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State contrary to the disinformation spreading on social media platforms,” the statement said.
Mrs. Olukoju confirmed that the government had reviewed the video, where the suspects claimed to possess a vehicle allegedly provided by the “Ilorin Government” and weapons obtained “from Abuja.”
However, the Commissioner stated unequivocally that the suspects were not arrested in Kwara State. “No security agency, including the Army, ever reported such arrests in Kwara. They were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State. Further details are awaited for more clarity,” the statement added.
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The government also addressed the specific allegations regarding the provision of weapons and vehicles: Arms: The government stressed that no state government has the authority to arm individuals with AK-47 rifles, further noting that the suspects did not state in the video that the Kwara State Government gave them any weapons.
Providing further clarification, the statement said the Ifelodun Local Government Authority confirmed that the security van referenced in the video was originally provided to vigilantes deployed in the area to complement security efforts. It noted that those vigilantes have since left Ifelodun, and the local government had repeatedly complained that the vehicle was not returned.
While ongoing investigations are expected to reveal more details, the Kwara State Government called for improved inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies to effectively tackle banditry and other violent crimes.