Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and vigilante group members, during a routine patrol at Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a suspected bandit from Kogi State.

Spokesperson for the Kwara State police command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, said the nabbed 20-year-old suspect was contacted by a friend from Niger State and asked to travel to Farinsuni to join a terrorist group.

The command said, “On April 1, 2026, at about 0800 hours, a joint patrol team comprising Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group (KVG), while on routine patrol in Nanu, intercepted and arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a 20-year-old male from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State.

“Preliminary investigation and interrogation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been contacted on March 30, 2026, by a friend identified as “Babi” (surname unknown) from Babana Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The individual reportedly invited him to travel to Farinsuni via Baruten Local Government Area with the intention of joining a group believed to be affiliated with ISWAP/Lakurawa before his arrest.”

According to the command, the suspect is now in police custody, and a full investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of his involvement and to apprehend other individuals connected to the case.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, while reiterating his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.