A four-man armed robbery gang on Friday unleashed terror in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, shooting a motorist and carting away an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be in several cartons.
The robbery, which occurred directly opposite the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel office along Murtala Mohammed road , caused panic as the masked men fired multiple shots before escaping in an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with a faded number plate.
Sobi FM gathered that the assailants appeared to have trailed their victim, who was driving a grey Toyota Sienna marked AA 693 GT, before opening fire on him.
“They must have followed him. They shot at his vehicle from behind and deflated his two left tyres before taking the money packed in four big cartons,” a witness said.
The victim, said to be transporting cash for an undisclosed assignment, sustained a gunshot wound on his palm during the attack.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the robbery took place at about 11:30 am.
According to her, “An armed robbery incident occurred around 11:30 hours today, 12th December 2025, along the Post Office road, Ilorin, where a driver of a Sienna vehicle was attacked by armed men, leaving the driver with a gunshot injury on his palm and an undisclosed amount of money carted away. He is currently receiving medical treatment.”
She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a discreet investigation and enhanced security deployments across Ilorin.
“The CP has further strengthened security across the Ilorin metropolis with increased police visibility patrols to reassure residents,” the statement said.
Adekimi also warned residents against moving large sums of cash without proper escort.
“Residents should avoid carrying large sums of cash. Use online transactions whenever possible. If physical cash movement is necessary, use trusted bank escort services,” the CP advised.
The police urged residents to immediately report suspicious movements, especially around financial institutions, markets, or busy commercial locations.
“Report suspicious movements or persons around banks or financial locations immediately,” the command stated.
The last time Kwara witnessed a high-profile armed robbery was the 2018 Offa bank robbery, during which gunmen attacked several banks and killed about 30 persons, including police officers and civilians one of the deadliest bank robberies in Nigeria’s history.