Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang, Sanda Aliyu, while he was allegedly attempting to purchase an AK-47 rifle for his group. The arrest took place on 3 August in Kaiama Local Government Area, before the arms transaction could be completed, according to the police.
Arrest Following Intelligence
The police said the arrest followed intelligence received by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Section. In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said Mr Aliyu was negotiating with another suspect, Aliyu Mohammed, who allegedly agreed to supply the rifle but remains at large.
Investigators found that Mr Aliyu had allegedly paid N1.6 million towards the purchase of the firearm before his arrest. The statement quoted Ms Ejire-Adeyemi as saying: “Aliyu disclosed that he wanted to acquire the AK-47 to rise to the position of a ‘Boss’ within his existing kidnapping gang. He said he planned to eventually leave the group and establish and lead his own criminal gang.”
Investigation and Context
The command said the investigation would establish the source of the money, identify the intended supplier of the firearm, and uncover other members of the suspected criminal network. The arrest comes amid heightened concerns over kidnapping and other violent crimes in parts of Kwara State.
Premium Times earlier reported that police were investigating the movement of funds linked to suspected kidnapping activities in the state after a suspected kidnapper was reported to have withdrawn money as part of preparations for a criminal operation. The latest arrest, according to the police, highlights the role of arms procurement and financial transactions in the activities of suspected kidnapping networks operating in the state. The police did not disclose whether Mr Aliyu was linked to the earlier case.
Police Vow to Sustain Offensive
Mr Mohammed, who allegedly negotiated the sale of the AK-47, remains at large. The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Ojo Adekimi, said the command would sustain its operations against criminal groups in the state. “There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” he said.
He urged residents to provide security agencies with information that could help prevent arms trafficking, kidnapping and other crimes. The police continue to investigate the case, with further arrests anticipated as they trace the network involved in the illegal arms deal.
