Kwara Police Foil Planned Purchase of AK-47 Rifle by Suspected Kidnapper

In a significant breakthrough, the Kwara State Police Command has apprehended a suspected kidnapper, Sanda Aliyu, who was attempting to procure an AK-47 rifle for a whopping N1.6 million in the Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. The arrest was made possible by the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the police, which acted on credible intelligence that Aliyu was in talks with one Aliyu Mohammed, currently on the run, to purchase the firearm. On August 3, 2026, detectives swung into action and arrested Aliyu before the rifle could be delivered. According to the state's Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspect confessed during questioning that he was indeed involved in the botched arms deal, revealing that N1.6 million had already been paid for the rifle. The suspect further disclosed that his intention was to use the firearm to elevate his status within his current kidnapping gang and eventually break away to form his own gang. The police have commenced a thorough investigation to unravel the extent of the criminal network and identify other individuals connected to the attempted purchase. The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has assured residents that the command will continue to deploy its resources to protect them, stating that there will be no let-up in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements. The suspect is currently in police custody, while efforts are underway to apprehend Mohammed and other persons allegedly linked to the attempted arms transaction. The development comes amidst heightened security operations in parts of Kwara State following a series of kidnappings and violent crimes in some communities.