By RismadarVoice Media
December 26, 2025
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 arrests were carried out on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State, in a covert operation conducted in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects were intercepted, arrested along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The suspects were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as “Siddi” (26), and Shehu Mohammadu, alias “Gide” (30). Both were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA, at the time of the operation.
During the operation, police recovered the following items from the suspects:
•One brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments;
•₦500,000 cash, identified as unspent ransom money;
•One AK-47 rifle, with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping syndicate, responsible for terrorizing several communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara States. Further findings also indicated that the gang doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
Police said the suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, providing information that will aid the arrest of other gang members and the recovery of additional weapons.
The Force also recalled that Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi) was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video flaunting firearms and large sums of money.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, dedication, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reassured Nigerians of the Force’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry, kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the country.
The Police further urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with timely, credible information to aid ongoing and future operations.
