Dare Babalola
Six Kwara State vigilante members, arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31, 2025, along the Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Edo State’s Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, have been released after a thorough investigation cleared them of wrongdoing.
The vigilantes, who were traveling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were handed over to the Kwara State Police Command for profiling and subsequently released to their leaders.
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.
The statement read in part, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.
“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.
“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.
He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.
