In a significant victory against organised crime, the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two suspected kingpins of a violent banditry and kidnapping syndicate operating across multiple states.
Covert Operation Nets Notorious Suspects
The breakthrough came from a covert operation conducted on December 19, 2025. Operatives from the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), working with the Kwara State Police Command, tracked and intercepted the suspects along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, identified the arrested individuals as Abubakar Usman (aka Siddi), 26, and Shehu Mohammadu (alias Gide), 30. They were allegedly on a criminal mission when apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village.
Ransom-Funded Assets and Arsenal Recovered
The police recovered substantial evidence from the suspects, linking them directly to their criminal enterprise. The seized items included:
- A brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million.
- ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom money.
- One AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Investigations revealed a direct link between the gang's kidnapping activities and their assets. "Preliminary findings showed that the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments collected during kidnapping operations," CSP Hundeyin stated.
Gang's Widespread Reign of Terror Exposed
Police investigations uncovered that the suspects were key members of a notorious gang terrorising communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara states. Beyond kidnapping for ransom, the syndicate also specialised in supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal elements within the region.
One of the suspects, Abubakar Usman, had recently gained notoriety online. He was identified in a viral social media video where he was seen openly flaunting firearms and large sums of money.
Both arrested kingpins are currently cooperating with investigators to help track down other gang members and recover more hidden weapons.
Police Leadership Commends Operatives, Reaffirms Commitment
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives involved for their professionalism and dedication. He reaffirmed the Force's unwavering resolve to dismantle criminal networks and curb the menace of banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria.
IGP Egbetokun also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations and make communities safer.
