Sanda Aliyu, a suspected kidnapping gang member, was detained by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly plotting to pay N1.6 million for an AK-47 gun in the state’s Kaiama Local Government Area.
On August 3, 2026, Aliyu was taken into custody by Anti-Kidnapping Section agents when actionable information revealed that he was negotiating the purchase of the firearm with Aliyu Mohammed, who is presently at large.
According to the police, detectives started an operation based on the information right away and caught Aliyu before the weapon could be delivered.
Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the state police public relations officer, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspect acknowledged his involvement in the attempted arms trade during questioning.
“The suspect voluntarily acknowledged his role in the transaction and revealed that N1.6 million had already been paid for the rifle.”
According to the PPRO, “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.”
In order to identify other people connected to the attempted purchase and ascertain the size of the criminal network, she continued, investigators had started additional transaction verification.
According to Ejire-Adeyemi, “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.”
Following a string of kidnappings and other violent crimes reported in some communities, security services in several areas of Kwara State have increased security operations.
In response to the arrest, Kwara State’s Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reassured locals that the command will continue its intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements throughout the state.
While appreciating Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu’s strategic police approach, Adekimi stated the command will keep using its operational and lawful intelligence resources to safeguard locals.
The CP declared, “The ongoing offensive against criminal elements will not be halted.”
He continued by saying that the command will continue to operate until all of the state’s towns were adequately protected and people could go about their daily lives fearlessly.
While efforts are on to capture Mohammed and identify other individuals purportedly involved in the attempted arms sale, the police stated that the suspect is still in custody.
