The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two high-profile bandits and kidnapping kingpins during a covert joint operation in Kwara State, authorities announced Friday. Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), working with the Kwara State Police Command, intercepted the suspects along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area following sustained intelligence tracking of their movements across multiple states.
The suspects, identified as Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), 26, and Shehu Mohammadu (alias Gide), 30, were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village. Police recovered a brand-new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at approximately ₦1.85 million, believed to have been purchased with ransom proceeds; ₦500,000 cash thought to be unspent ransom money; and an AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary findings indicate the duo are key figures in a violent banditry and kidnapping syndicate operating across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara States, and are also suspected suppliers of arms and ammunition to other criminal networks. One of the suspects, Usman, was recently identified in a viral social media video flaunting firearms and large sums of cash prior to his arrest.
Both men are currently cooperating with investigators to help facilitate the arrest of other gang members and recover additional illicit weapons. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates and enhancing public safety.
The Nigeria Police have urged the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security operations.
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