A suspected member of a kidnapping gang, identified as Sanda Aliyu, has been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly attempting to purchase an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m in Kaiama Local Government Area.
The Punch reported that Aliyu was apprehended on August 3, 2026, by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section following intelligence that he was negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, to acquire the firearm.
Acting on the information, police detectives launched an operation that resulted in Aliyu’s arrest before the weapon could be delivered.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he participated in the attempted arms transaction.
“The suspect voluntarily admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6m had already been paid towards the purchase of the rifle.
“He further revealed that the purpose of acquiring the firearm was to enable him to rise to the position of a ‘Boss’ within his current kidnapping gang, before ultimately breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal gang,” the PPRO said.
Ejire-Adeyemi explained that investigators had commenced further checks into the transaction to identify other people allegedly linked to the attempted purchase and determine the extent of the criminal network.
“The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further leads into the circumstances surrounding the attempted acquisition, identify other persons connected with the illicit arms transaction, establish the full extent of the network, and unravel the broader criminal activities associated with the gang,” she noted.
The arrest comes as security agencies intensify operations across parts of Kwara State following a series of kidnapping incidents and other violent crimes in some communities.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would maintain its intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements.
Adekimi said the command would continue to deploy lawful intelligence and operational resources in line with the policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the CP said.
He added that security operations would continue until communities across the state were adequately secured and residents could carry out their daily activities without fear.
The police said Aliyu remains in custody as investigations continue, while efforts are underway to arrest Mohammed and track down other individuals allegedly connected to the attempted arms deal.
