Nigeria: Suspected Kidnapper Arrested While Attempting to Buy Ak-47 in Kwara

What the report says

The Kwara State Police Command in north-central Nigeria said it blocked an alleged attempt to obtain an AK-47 rifle for a kidnapping operation. According to the report published by Daily Trust and distributed by AllAfrica, the suspect, identified as Sanda Aliyu, was arrested in Kaiama Local Government Area after intelligence led anti-kidnapping officers to intervene before the weapon was delivered.

Police said the arrest took place after information was received on August 3, 2026, and that investigators believe Aliyu had been negotiating with another suspect, Aliyu Mohammed, who remains at large. The command alleged that about ₦1.6 million had already been paid toward the firearm purchase before the operation was stopped. The suspect was said to have admitted involvement during questioning, and police claimed he described plans to use the weapon to strengthen his position within a kidnapping gang.

The case matters because it highlights both kidnapping and illicit arms procurement concerns in Kwara State, where police have been carrying out anti-crime operations. The police said they are now examining the source of the money, the intended supplier and the wider network behind the alleged plot. Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi said the command would continue its offensive against criminal groups and urged residents to share actionable intelligence with security agencies.