The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang, Sanda Aliyu, over an alleged attempt to acquire an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
Aliyu was apprehended on August 3 by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section following intelligence that he was negotiating with a suspected arms dealer, identified as Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large.
The command said its operatives moved swiftly after receiving the information and arrested the suspect before the firearm could be delivered.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying Aliyu admitted during interrogation that he was involved in the attempted arms purchase.
According to the PPRO, the suspect revealed that N1.6m had already been paid for the rifle.
She said Aliyu further confessed that he intended to use the weapon to gain recognition as a “Boss” within his kidnapping gang before eventually leaving the group to establish and lead his own criminal organisation.
The police spokesperson added that detectives had commenced further investigation to establish the identities of other persons linked to the transaction and determine the extent of the suspected criminal network.
She said the investigation was also aimed at uncovering other criminal activities allegedly connected to the gang.
The arrest comes amid intensified security 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 sustain its intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements.
Adekimi said the command would continue to deploy available lawful intelligence and operational resources to protect residents and secure communities.
“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the commissioner stated.
He added that the police would maintain the pressure until residents could carry out their daily activities without fear.
The police said Aliyu remains in custody while investigation continues, with efforts ongoing to arrest Mohammed and track down other individuals allegedly involved in the attempted purchase of the firearm.