Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force have achieved a major success with the arrest of two suspected bandits and kidnapping kingpins involved in violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara States.
A statement released on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the operation was carried out on December 19, 2025, by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
The suspects, Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi’m, 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, known as Gide’m, 30, were intercepted along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State. Police noted that Usman had recently been identified in a viral video flaunting firearms and large sums of cash on social media.
Recovered from the suspects were a red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, allegedly purchased with ransom money, ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom proceeds, and an AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a notorious gang responsible for terrorising communities in multiple states. The group is also reportedly supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal networks.
Both suspects are cooperating with investigators to help identify and apprehend other gang members and recover additional weapons.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, assuring Nigerians of the police’s ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates and combat banditry and kidnapping. The public was urged to continue providing credible information to aid security operations.
