A four-man armed robbery gang struck fear into residents of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Friday after ambushing a motorist and escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash packed in several cartons.
The attack occurred directly opposite the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel office, causing panic as the masked robbers fired several gunshots before zooming off in an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with a faded number plate.
Eyewitnesses said the gang appeared to have trailed their target, who was driving a grey Toyota Sienna (AA 693 GT). The robbers reportedly opened fire from behind, bursting the vehicle’s two left tyres before seizing the cartons of money.
The victim, who was said to be transporting the cash for an unknown assignment, sustained a gunshot wound to his palm.
Kwara Police Command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident, noting that it happened around 11:30 a.m.
She said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a thorough investigation and heightened patrols across the Ilorin metropolis to reassure residents.
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The commissioner also advised residents to avoid moving large amounts of cash, recommending the use of online transfers or bank-provided escort services when physical cash movement is unavoidable.
Police further urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity—especially near banks, markets, and busy commercial areas.
Kwara State is still remembered for the deadly 2018 Offa bank robbery that claimed about 30 lives, underscoring the importance of improved security and caution when dealing with large sums of money.
