Sanda Aliyu allegedly sought the rifle to rise within a kidnapping gang and eventually form his own criminal group

The Kwara State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi, has foiled an alleged Kwara AK-47 bid after arresting suspected kidnap gang member Sanda Aliyu in Kaiama Local Government Area over an alleged N1.6 million attempt to acquire a rifle.

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Aliyu was arrested on August 3, 2026, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section after intelligence reportedly revealed that he was negotiating the purchase with another man, identified as Aliyu Mohammed, who remains at large.

According to the police, detectives moved quickly on the intelligence and apprehended Aliyu before the firearm could be delivered.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police said Aliyu admitted involvement in the attempted transaction during interrogation.

“The suspect voluntarily admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6m had already been paid towards the purchase of the rifle,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

The police alleged that Aliyu’s motive went beyond simply acquiring a firearm.

Investigators said he intended to use the weapon to strengthen his position within the kidnapping gang before eventually breaking away and establishing his own criminal group.

The alleged ambition has given the case an additional dimension, as investigators now seek to determine whether the attempted arms purchase was connected to a wider criminal network operating in or around Kwara.

The command said further verification was under way to establish the identities of other people linked to the transaction and determine the broader 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 said.

The arrest comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of Kwara, where police and other security agencies have maintained operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

For residents in affected communities, the interception of a suspected attempt to obtain a high-powered firearm represents a significant opportunity for investigators to disrupt criminal activity before another weapon enters circulation.

Adekimi said the command would sustain its intelligence-led approach and deploy available lawful resources to protect residents.

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

He also said operations would continue until communities across the state were sufficiently secured and residents could conduct their daily activities without fear.

The police have not disclosed whether the alleged N1.6 million payment has been recovered or identified the source of the funds.

The alleged firearm was also not recovered because, according to the police account, the suspect was arrested before delivery.

Aliyu remains in police custody while investigations continue. Police are also pursuing Mohammed and other individuals suspected of having links to the attempted transaction.

As the investigation develops, authorities are expected to establish whether the alleged arms deal was an isolated attempt or part of a larger supply network supporting kidnapping operations in the region.

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The case also underscores the importance of intelligence gathering in tackling organised crime, particularly where the early interception of an arms transaction can potentially prevent a planned escalation in the firepower available to criminal groups.