Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested two suspected bandits and kidnapping kingpins believed to be behind several violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin. According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, working alongside the Kwara State Police Command.
The suspects were intercepted during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State. They were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi’m, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, known as Gide’m, aged 30. Both were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village.
Police disclosed that Abubakar Usman was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral video on social media, where he was allegedly flaunting firearms and large sums of money.
Items recovered during the operation include a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigators said was purchased with ransom proceeds, ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom money, and an 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 gang terrorising several communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States. Further findings also indicate that the group supplies arms and ammunition to other armed criminal networks.
The police said both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to help track down other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, reaffirming the police’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and tackling banditry and kidnapping nationwide. He also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing security efforts.
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