A suspected kidnap gang member, Sanda Aliyu, has been arrested in Kwara State over an alleged attempt to obtain an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m.
Aliyu was arrested on August 3 by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section following intelligence about his alleged negotiations with Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently on the run.
According to the police, the suspect was apprehended before the firearm could be delivered.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said Aliyu confessed during interrogation to his involvement in the attempted purchase.
“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.
Police said the investigation would focus on tracing other people connected to the attempted arms purchase and uncovering the wider activities of the suspected gang.
“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,” Ejire-Adeyemi noted.
The arrest comes amid intensified security operations in parts of Kwara following reports of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the command would continue its intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements across the state.
“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the CP said.
Aliyu remains in custody as detectives continue their investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Mohammed and identify other suspects linked to the alleged arms deal.
