Police intercept suspected gun procurement deal in Kwara, arrest buyer

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Police in Kwara State have disrupted an alleged attempt to procure an AK-47 rifle in Kaiama Local Government Area and arrested a suspected buyer before the weapon could be delivered.

The operation followed intelligence received August 3 by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section that Sanda Aliyu was allegedly negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, to procure the rifle.

According to a statement issued Thursday in Ilorin by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, detectives acted on the information and arrested Aliyu before the transaction was completed.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6 million had already been paid toward the purchase of the rifle, according to the statement.

The police said Aliyu further disclosed that he intended to use the firearm to rise to the position of a “boss” within his alleged kidnapping gang before breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal gang.

Meanwhile, the police said further investigation into the transaction had provided leads that could help identify other persons connected with the alleged arms deal and establish the full extent of the network.

The command also said the investigation was aimed at uncovering other criminal activities allegedly linked to the gang and bringing those involved to justice.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against criminal elements, adding that it would continue to deploy lawful intelligence and operational resources to secure communities across the state.