The Kwara State Police Command has disrupted an attempt to procure an AK-47 rifle for a kidnapping gang, arresting a suspect who reportedly paid N1.6 million for the weapon in Kaiama Local Government Area.
The development followed intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section on August 3, 2026, about an alleged negotiation between Sanda Aliyu and one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, for the purchase of the firearm.
According to a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, detectives moved swiftly on the intelligence and arrested Aliyu before the weapon could be delivered.
The police said the suspect, during interrogation, voluntarily admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6 million had already been paid towards the purchase of the AK-47.
The Command said the suspect also revealed that he intended to use the firearm to rise to the position of a “Boss” within his alleged kidnapping gang before breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal group.
“Investigative verification of the transaction has provided further leads into the circumstances surrounding the attempted acquisition,” the statement said.
The police added that the investigation was being expanded to identify other individuals linked to the suspected arms transaction, determine the full extent of the network and uncover other criminal activities allegedly associated with the gang.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Mohammed, who was identified as the alleged arms supplier and remains at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, said the Command would sustain its offensive against criminal elements in the state.
According to him, the operation is in line with the strategic policing direction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
He assured residents that the police would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and other lawful resources to protect communities and ensure that residents can “sleep with both eyes closed.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
