The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, December 19, 2025, during a covert operation carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State, in collaboration with officers of the Kwara State Police Command. The operation took place along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
According to information provided to BusinessDay by Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, the suspects arrested were Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide, aged 30. Both were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA.
Items recovered from the suspects include a brand-new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which police said was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments, ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom money, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping syndicate terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states. Police also disclosed that the gang is involved in the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
The suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other members of the gang and the recovery of additional weapons.
The Police further confirmed that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman, was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video flaunting firearms and large sums of money.
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Commending the operatives involved, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, commended their professionalism and dedication, and reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians.
The police also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
