A suspected kidnapper has been arrested in Kwara State while allegedly trying to acquire an AK-47 rifle to strengthen his position within a criminal gang.
The suspect, identified as Sanda Aliyu, was picked up in Kaiama Local Government Area by operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Section after intelligence uncovered plans to complete the arms deal.
The police said Aliyu was arrested on August 3, 2026, before the weapon could get into his hands, effectively stopping the planned transaction and exposing links to a wider kidnapping network.
According to the Kwara State Police Command, Aliyu was negotiating with another suspect, Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently on the run, for the purchase of the rifle.
Investigators alleged that ₦1.6 million had already exchanged hands for the weapon before security operatives swooped on the suspect.
During interrogation, Aliyu reportedly confessed to the crime and revealed his ambition to rise within the ranks of the kidnapping gang.
Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the suspect admitted that he wanted the AK-47 to become a “boss” in the gang before eventually breaking away to form and lead his own criminal group.
The Command said investigations were ongoing to uncover the source of the money used for the purchase, identify the suspected arms supplier and unravel other members of the criminal network.
Mohammed, who was allegedly involved in the negotiation for the rifle, remains at large.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, vowed that the Command would intensify its crackdown on kidnappers, arms dealers and other criminal elements threatening residents.
He assured that security agencies would continue to rely on intelligence gathering and proactive operations to prevent crimes before they are carried out.
The police chief also urged residents to provide useful information that could help security operatives track criminal activities, illegal arms movement and kidnapping plots across the state.
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