By Atinuke Alao
As part of its ongoing fight against crime, the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled an inter-state robbery syndicate responsible for a series of burglaries and robbery incidents across the state and beyond.
The operation, at the instance of the NSCDC’s tracking unit, followed numerous complaints from residents and business owners whose homes, shops, and other premises were unlawfully broken into and valuable property carted away.
The personnel traced the criminal network across state boundaries, leading to the arrest of one of its key members, Abdulrasheed Kadri, popularly known as “Soldier.” This arose from intelligence and months of painstaking investigation, surveillance and inter-state tracking operations,
The confession of the suspect led investigators to a warehouse in Ibadan, Oyo State, believed to serve as a major storage facility for property stolen from victims in various parts of the country.
Spokesman of the state command of NSCDC, Ayoola Michael Shola, said during the operation, the command recovered a large cache of suspected stolen items, including a vehicle and other valuables, believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.
The exhibits have since been secured and are undergoing further documentation and identification processes as investigations continue.
Preliminary findings reveal a well-coordinated criminal network that operates across state lines, targeting homes, business premises, and other locations before transporting stolen items to designated safe houses for concealment and eventual disposal.
The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Nda Mohammed, who spoke on the development, described the operation as a major milestone in the command’s determination to dismantle organized criminal networks and ensure the safety of the state residents.
“This operation sends a clear message that criminals will find no refuge in Kwara State. We will not allow our state to become a sanctuary for criminal elements, a corridor for criminal activities, or a repository for illegal weapons and stolen property.
“Our resolve remains unshaken. Through intelligence-led operations, strategic partnerships with other security agencies, we will continue to identify, pursue and bring to justice all individuals and groups whose actions threaten public peace and security.”
While one suspect is currently in custody assisting investigators, efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large. The Command remains confident that all those connected to the criminal enterprise will be brought to justice.
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