By: Nusrat Lasisi
Sixteen suspected bandits have been apprehended by the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, as they attempted to move from Kwara State into Ekiti State.
The suspects were arrested during a security sweep along routes leading into Ekiti, where operatives intensified patrols to curb criminal movements between states. Officers said the group was intercepted with belongings that suggested recent movements across multiple local government areas.
The arrests took place on Thursday, when Amotekun corps deployed to key checkpoints along the border discovered the group moving in a suspicious manner. Officials said the suspects were unable to account for their travel plans or provide credible reasons for being in the area.
Security sources in Ekiti, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the arrested men are now in custody, where they are being screened and interrogated. They added that further investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspects are connected to specific criminal incidents in Kwara or neighbouring states. Amotekun commanders said the operation reflects growing cooperation among states in the South-West and neighbouring regions to check banditry, criminal networks and unauthorised movements that undermine public safety.
Local residents welcomed the arrests but urged authorities to sustain patrols and strengthen intelligence sharing to prevent further incursions. The development comes amid rising concerns about the mobility of criminal elements across state borders and the challenges it poses for security agencies