Police Nab Two Notorious Banditry, Kidnapping Kingpins in Kwara
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspected banditry and kidnapping kingpins linked to a wave of violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.
The suspects were apprehended on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi ‘m’, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’, aged 30.
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They were picked up at Komen–Masallaci village in Kaiama LGA.
A police statement said items recovered from the suspects included a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at about ₦1.85m, ₦500,000 suspected to be unspent ransom proceeds, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
It was revealed that the motorcycle was allegedly purchased with ransom payments made by victims, while the suspects were said to be members of a notorious gang terrorising communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states.
Further findings showed that the gang also doubled as suppliers of arms and ammunition to other criminal elements operating within the region.
The police added that the suspects were currently cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
One of the suspects, Abubakar Usman, was also identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video where firearms and large sums of money were openly displayed.
Commending the operatives, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and tackling banditry and kidnapping across the country.
The police urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
