A four-man armed robbery gang on Friday unleashed terror in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, after shooting a motorist and making away with an undisclosed sum of money believed to have been packed in several cartons.
The incident, which occurred directly opposite the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel office along Post Office Road, threw the area into panic as the masked assailants fired multiple gunshots before escaping in an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with a faded number plate.
Eyewitnesses said the robbers had trailed their victim, who was driving a grey Toyota Sienna with registration number AA 693 GT, before launching the attack.
“They must have followed him from another location. They shot at his vehicle from behind, deflated the two left tyres and then took the money packed in four big cartons,” an eyewitness recounted.
The victim, who was reportedly conveying cash for an undisclosed assignment, sustained a gunshot injury to his palm during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the robbery occurred at about 11:30am on Friday.
“An armed robbery incident occurred around 11:30 hours today, 12th December 2025, along Post Office Road, Ilorin, where the driver of a Sienna vehicle was attacked by armed men. The driver sustained a gunshot injury on his palm, while an undisclosed amount of money was carted away. He is currently receiving medical treatment,” she stated.
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and directed a reinforcement of security across the Ilorin metropolis.
“The Commissioner of Police has further strengthened security across Ilorin with increased police visibility patrols to reassure residents,” she said.
The police commissioner also cautioned residents against the movement of large sums of cash, advising the use of electronic transactions where possible.
“Residents are advised to avoid carrying large sums of cash and to use online transactions whenever possible. Where physical movement of cash is unavoidable, trusted bank escort services should be used,” Adekimi advised.
The police command further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements, particularly around banks, markets and other busy commercial areas.
“Residents should immediately report suspicious persons or movements around financial institutions and commercial locations,” the command added.
