The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States.
The suspects were arrested during a covert operation conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), working in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
The operation took place along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where the operatives intercepted and apprehended the suspects identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide, aged 30.
Items recovered from the suspects include a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments, ₦500,000 cash believed to be unspent ransom money, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping syndicate responsible for terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States. The gang was also found to be involved in supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
Police authorities disclosed that both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, providing information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the gang and the recovery of additional weapons.
The Police further revealed that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral video flaunting firearms and large sums of money on social media.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety of lives and property nationwide.
The Police also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.