A former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mashood Bakare, has urged the police and the federal government to investigate claims that officials of the state government supplied weapons and a patrol vehicle to suspected bandits operating in parts of the state.
Bakare’s call followed a viral video shared on social media on Saturday.
The video shows Nigerian Army personnel interrogating suspected bandits who were reportedly patrolling with AK-47 rifles in a local government security vehicle in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In the footage, the suspects were seen lying face down with their hands tied while soldiers questioned them about their activities and how they got the weapons and vehicle.
During the interrogation, one of the suspects, who spoke in Hausa and Nigerian Pidgin, claimed that the patrol vehicle and rifles were provided by the government.
He alleged that they operated in the area under the cover of security patrols and said the weapons were collected by their superior, identified as “Victor.”
He also claimed that several people were involved.
He said, “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.
“Ilorin government na him give us this motor and the weapons. They were the ones that gave us the rifles”.
Reacting to the development, Bakare described the allegations as disturbing and serious.
He said it was worrying that a government responsible for protecting lives and property was being linked to alleged criminal activities.
The former lawmaker, who represented Omupo Constituency between 2011 and 2019, said the growing insecurity in Ifelodun local government area was unusual for Kwara State.
He called for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the truth.
Bakare also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by sharing credible information.
According to him, community cooperation is key to tackling insecurity and preventing criminals from finding safe haven.
“My advice is that everyone should come together. People must be vigilant and support security agencies. They should not harbour criminal elements and should promptly pass useful information to security operatives so that they can act,” Bakare added.
Meanwhile, the Ifelodun Local Government Council has denied any wrongdoing and praised the Nigerian Army for recovering the security vehicle.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, the council chairman, Alhaji Femi Yusuf, said the van was recovered in Auchi, Edo State, following efforts by the council and security agencies.
He explained that the vehicle was originally provided as logistical support for vigilante operatives to help curb criminal activities in parts of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Yusuf said that after the vigilante operatives were withdrawn, attempts to retrieve the vehicle failed, prompting the council to report the matter to security authorities.
The council commended the professionalism of the Nigerian Army and reaffirmed its commitment to working with security agencies to ensure peace and safety across the local government area and Kwara State as a whole.
Ex-lawmaker asks Nigerian govt to probe alleged supply of arms to bandits in Kwara
