The Nigeria Police Force has announced a major blow against criminal networks in the north-west region with the arrest of two high-profile bandit leaders. The duo, linked to a string of violent kidnappings across four states, were apprehended in a coordinated covert operation.
A Coordinated Operation Nets Key Suspects
On December 19th, 2025, operatives from the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, successfully intercepted and arrested the suspects along the Komen-Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The arrested individuals are:
* Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), aged 26.
* Shehu Mohammadu (alias Gide), aged 30.
The operation yielded significant recoveries, painting a picture of the gang's operations. Items seized include:
* A brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle (valued at ₦1.85 million) allegedly purchased with ransom money.
* ₦500,000 in cash, believed to be unspent ransom payments.
* An AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Revelations and Links to Wider Criminality
Preliminary investigations have identified the suspects as key members of a notorious gang responsible for terrorizing communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara States. Furthermore, the gang is believed to have a secondary role as suppliers of arms and ammunition to other criminal elements in the region.
One of the suspects, Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), has been connected to a viral social media video that circulated recently, which showed an individual brazenly flaunting firearms and large sums of cash.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reiterated the Force's commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring public safety. The police also encouraged citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security efforts.
Both suspects are currently in custody and are reportedly cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other syndicate members and the recovery of more weapons.
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