Police Arrest Two Not0rious Band!try, K!dnapping Kingpins in Kwara, Rec£ver Arms and Rans0m Proceeds.
Police Arrest Two Notorious Banditry, Kidnapping Kingpins in Kwara, Recover Arms and Ransom Proceeds.
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major operational success with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to a wave of violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States.
The suspects were apprehended on Friday, December 19, 2025, during a covert intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
The operation took place along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.
Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide, aged 30. Both suspects were intercepted and arrested at Komen–Masallaci village while allegedly moving within the area.
Items recovered from the suspects include one brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at about ₦1.85 million, which police investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments.
Also recovered were ₦500,000 in cash suspected to be unspent ransom money, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are key members of a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for banditry and kidnapping operations across several northern states.
Police further disclosed that the gang is also involved in the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal elements operating within the region.
The suspects are currently in custody and are said to be cooperating with investigators, providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
Police authorities also confirmed that Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, was recently identified as the individual featured in a viral social media video where firearms and large sums of cash were openly displayed.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and bravery, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dismantling criminal networks, curbing banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the country.
The Police have once again called on members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing and future security operations.
