The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against banditry and kidnapping with the arrest of two notorious criminal kingpins operating across several northern states.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025, the Force confirmed that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), working in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, arrested the suspects during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State.
The suspects, identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi ‘m’ (26), and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’ (30), were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village while allegedly moving within the area as part of their criminal activities.
Police disclosed that the duo are key members of a dangerous banditry and kidnapping syndicate responsible for violent crimes across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States, including armed attacks, abductions and ransom collection.
- Nigeria’s First Ebola Patient Identified as Wife of Swiss Diplomat as Authorities Probe Source of Infection
- MURIC Seeks Police Probe into Alleged Killing of Man Inside Oyo Mosque
- NEC Approves 90-Day Economic Plan as Nigerians Await Relief From Rising Living Costs
- Dokubo-Asari Honours Sultan of Sokoto with Leadership Award, Seeks Royal Presence at December Coronation
- Umahi Faults Obi’s Presidential Ambition, Says Southeast Has Other Qualified Contenders
Items recovered from the suspects include one 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 suspected to be unspent ransom money, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the gang not only engages in kidnapping and banditry but also supplies arms and ammunition to other criminal elements operating within the region, thereby worsening insecurity across affected communities.
The Police also recalled that Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video where firearms and large sums of money were openly displayed, raising public concern at the time.
According to the Force, both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, providing useful information that is expected to lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, reiterating the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and restoring public safety.
The Police leadership assured Nigerians that sustained intelligence-led operations will continue nationwide to combat banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Members of the public were also urged to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information to law enforcement agencies.
