Kwara State Government has dismissed claims that some bandits who were arrested in the state claimed that they received AK-47 weapons and vehicles from government officials in Abuja.

In a statement, the Kwara government said the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandit in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State, contrary to the disinformation spreading via a video on social media platforms.

"We have carefully watched the short video in circulation in which some individuals arrested said they were in possession of a vehicle given to them by 'Ilorin Government' and weapons they received 'from Abuja'.

"While the content of the video and the whole circumstances around the suspects are being investigated, it is important to clarify that the suspects were not arrested in Ifelodun or any part of Kwara. No security agency, including the Army, ever reported such arrests in Kwara.

The state said the bandits were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State.

"Indeed, no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47. Neither did the individuals mention that Kwara State Government gave them any weapons.

"The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun."

The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun.

However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

The state further said, "To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies

"As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace."

JUST IN: B@ndits Arrested by army In Ifelodun Claim They Allegedly Received AK-47 R+fles and vehicle From Kwara State Officials pic.twitter.com/RO68DAt3zE

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) December 14, 2025