The Kwara State Police Command has apprehended a suspected bandit linked to terrorist activities in the North-Central region.

The suspect, identified as Mallami Abubakar, a 20-year-old from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State, was arrested last Thursday in Nanu, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State during a routine patrol.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspect had been contacted by an associate from Niger State and invited to travel to Farinsuni with the aim of joining a terrorist group.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual who reached out to him, identified simply as “Babi” from Babana village in Borgu Local Government Area, allegedly directed him to move through Baruten to link up with a group believed to be affiliated with ISWAP and the Lakurawa network.

The police confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody as investigations continue to determine the extent of his involvement and identify other collaborators connected to the case.

The arrest was carried out by a joint patrol team comprising police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group during a routine security operation in the area.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining security across the state, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.

Authorities added that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other individuals linked to the suspected terrorist network.