Kwara NSCDC busts Inter-State robbery syndicate, recovers truckload of stolen items

By Ahmed Olayinka

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against organised crime with the dismantling of an inter-state robbery syndicate responsible for a series of burglaries across Kwara State and other parts of the country, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Tracking Unit, followed multiple complaints from residents and business owners who reported repeated break-ins and the theft of valuable properties from homes, shops, and business premises.

Acting on credible intelligence and months of sustained surveillance, officers tracked the criminal network across state lines, leading to the arrest of a key suspect identified as Abdulrasheed Kadri, popularly known as “Soldier.”

Following his arrest, the suspect reportedly provided useful information that guided investigators to a warehouse in Ibadan, Oyo State, believed to be a major storage point for stolen goods linked to the syndicate.

A search of the facility led to the recovery of a truckload of suspected stolen items, including a vehicle and other valuables believed to have been taken from victims across several states. The recovered items have since been secured and are undergoing documentation and verification as investigations continue.

Preliminary findings suggest that the syndicate operates as a well-organised criminal network, targeting residential and commercial properties, before moving stolen items across state boundaries to hidden warehouses for storage and eventual disposal.

Speaking on the development, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed, described the operation as a significant milestone in the Command’s efforts to dismantle organised criminal groups operating within and outside Kwara State.

He stressed that the success of the operation sends a strong warning to criminal elements, noting that Kwara State would not serve as a safe haven for criminals or a transit route for illegal activities.

“Our resolve remains firm. Through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies, we will continue to identify, pursue, and bring all criminal elements to justice,” he stated.

The Commandant further assured residents that ongoing efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large, expressing confidence that the entire network would be completely dismantled.

The NSCDC in Kwara State reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, property, and critical national assets, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance public safety.