The Arandun community in Kwara State recently witnessed protests at the local police station following allegations of the unlawful detention of a 16-year-old girl. Community members claimed the teenager had been held for three days after police operatives, seeking her brother in connection with an alleged generator theft, failed to locate him at home. Protesters voiced concerns that the girl was denied food and visitation rights by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

The mother of the teenager provided a detailed account, stating she herself had been arrested and detained earlier in connection with her son's alleged crime. She recounted, "My son committed a crime and the police came to arrest him. When they did not see him, they picked me up. I spent three days in police custody. They collected bail money from me. One week later, they came back and arrested my 16-year-old daughter. I have pleaded with them but they insist they will charge my daughter to court. She is not the one that committed the crime. She is just sixteen years old." Her plea for help gained traction, especially after a video depicting the mother accusing the police of a "proxy" arrest and showing disgruntled community members confronting the DPO circulated on social media.

However, the Kwara State Police Command has officially refuted these viral reports. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire, issued a statement to clarify the incident. According to the police, a case of housebreaking and theft was reported at the Arandun Police Division on April 30, 2026, around 4:00 PM. The prime suspect, identified as 19-year-old Timothy Aransiola, who was already on the division’s watchlist for previous incidents, reportedly absconded as soon as the investigation commenced.

The police statement asserted that their actions were in line with standard procedures and denied using the suspect's younger sister as a bargaining chip for his surrender. Instead, subsequent intelligence indicated that the suspect was being harboured and assisted by his 16-year-old sister, Esther Aransiola, to evade arrest. Consequently, Esther was taken into custody on Friday, May 1, 2026, for aiding and abetting a suspect with the intent to obstruct a lawful arrest. The police confirmed that she was duly cautioned, her statement was taken according to established procedures, and she was subsequently released to her guardian on bond.

Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Timothy Aransiola, and bring him to justice. The Kwara State Police Command urged the public to disregard the misleading content circulating online and to "refrain from spreading unverified information capable of inciting unnecessary tension."