The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major success in its campaign against banditry and kidnapping with the arrest of two suspected crime kingpins operating across several northern states.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects were captured during a carefully planned intelligence-led operation in Kwara State.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, led to the arrest of Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, popularly called Gide, aged 30.
Hundeyin said the duo was intercepted along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. Preliminary investigations revealed that they belong to a notorious kidnapping and banditry syndicate responsible for attacks across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states.
Items recovered from the suspects include an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition, ₦500,000 believed to be proceeds from ransom payments, and a brand-new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at about ₦1.85 million. Police investigators disclosed that the motorcycle was purchased using ransom funds.
Further findings showed that the group was also involved in supplying weapons and ammunition to other criminal elements operating in the region.
One of the arrested suspects, Abubakar Usman, had previously drawn public attention after appearing in a viral video where he was seen openly displaying firearms and large sums of money. Police said he had been under surveillance before his eventual arrest.
Hundeyin added that the suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, providing information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the gang and the recovery of more illegal weapons.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and commitment, reaffirming the police leadership’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks nationwide.
The police authorities also urged members of the public to remain alert and continue to support security agencies by sharing credible and timely information that can aid ongoing operations against crime across the country.
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