Police dismiss claims of unlawful detention of minor in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has denied allegations that it unlawfully detained a minor in Arandun community, Irepodun Local Government Area, describing the claims as misleading.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the command said the incident had been misrepresented in viral social media content.

The clarification follows public outrage triggered by videos showing the teenage girl at a police station, with some residents protesting her arrest.

According to the police, the incident originated from a housebreaking and theft case reported at the Arandun Police Division on April 30, 2026.

The statement explained that the prime suspect, identified as 19-year-old Timothy Aransiola, fled after the report and had previously been on the division’s watchlist.

“Subsequent intelligence revealed that the suspect was being harboured and assisted to evade arrest by his 16-year-old sister, Esther Aransiola,” the statement said.

Police said the girl was taken into custody on May 1, 2026, for allegedly aiding the suspect in evading arrest.

“She was properly cautioned, her statement was taken in accordance with due process, and she was later released to her guardian on bond,” the command added.

The police maintained that the minor was not unlawfully detained, insisting that claims circulating online were inaccurate and intended to misinform the public.

It also noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The command urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unrest, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights.