The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang, Sanda Aliyu, over an alleged attempt to purchase an AK-47 rifle for N1.6 million in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Aliyu was arrested on August 3, 2026, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section following intelligence that he was negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, to procure the firearm.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement, saying operatives moved swiftly on the intelligence and apprehended the suspect before the weapon could be delivered.

According to her, Aliyu admitted during interrogation that he was involved in the attempted arms transaction and disclosed that N1.6 million had already been paid for the rifle.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he wanted the firearm to enable him rise to the position of a “Boss” within his current kidnapping gang before breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal group.

Ejire-Adeyemi said investigators had commenced further verification to establish the identities of other persons linked to the attempted arms purchase and determine the extent of the suspected criminal network.

She said the investigation would also seek to uncover the broader criminal activities associated with the gang, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend Mohammed and other persons allegedly connected with the transaction.

The development comes amid intensified security operations in parts of Kwara State following a series of kidnapping incidents and other violent crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the state.

Adekimi, while acknowledging the policing direction of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the command would continue to deploy lawful intelligence and operational resources to protect residents.

“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the commissioner said.

He added that the police would sustain operations until communities across the state were sufficiently secured and residents could conduct their activities without fear.

Aliyu remains in police custody as investigation continues.