Suspected kidnapper arrested while buying AK-47 in Kwara

Police in Nigeria's Kwara State have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang who was allegedly attempting to buy an AK-47 rifle. The suspect, Sanda Aliyu, was apprehended on August 3 in Kaiama Local Government Area before the arms deal could be finalized.

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Aliyu disclosed that he wanted to acquire the AK-47 to rise to the position of a “Boss” within his existing kidnapping gang.

The arrest followed intelligence gathered by the command's Anti-Kidnapping Section, according to a police statement. Investigators found that Aliyu had allegedly paid N1.6 million towards the purchase of the firearm. He reportedly confessed that he wanted the AK-47 to elevate his status within his current kidnapping group and eventually start his own criminal enterprise.

The police are continuing their investigation to trace the source of the funds, identify the firearm supplier, and uncover other members of the suspected criminal network. The incident highlights the critical role of arms procurement and financial transactions in the operations of kidnapping gangs in the region.

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He said he planned to eventually leave the group and establish and lead his own criminal gang.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would maintain its offensive against criminal elements and urged the public to provide information to help prevent arms trafficking, kidnapping, and other crimes.

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There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements.