Police Arrest 2 Kidnap Kingpins, Recover Cash, AK-47 in Kwara
A coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Nigeria Police Force has dealt a heavy blow to a notorious trans-state banditry and kidnapping network, with the arrest of two high-profile gang leaders and the recovery of arms, cash and ransom-linked assets in Kwara State.
The suspects—identified as Abubakar Usman, popularly known as Siddi, 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide, 30—were apprehended on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
Police sources said the duo were intercepted during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama Local Government Area, following sustained intelligence tracking of their movements across multiple states.
Recovered from the suspects were one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition, ₦500,000 cash suspected to be unspent ransom proceeds, and a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at about ₦1.85 million. Investigations revealed that the motorcycle was purchased with funds obtained from kidnapping ransom payments.
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Preliminary findings indicate that the arrested suspects are key figures in a violent criminal syndicate responsible for banditry and kidnapping operations spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states. The gang is also believed to be deeply involved in the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal groups operating within the North-Central and North-West regions.
Police further disclosed that Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, was recently identified as the individual featured in a viral social media video where firearms and large sums of money were brazenly displayed—an act believed to have been intended to intimidate communities and glorify criminality.
Both suspects are currently in custody and are said to be cooperating with investigators, providing critical information that could lead to the arrest of other gang members and the recovery of additional weapons.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and operational precision, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and decisively tackle banditry and kidnapping nationwide.
The Police also called on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to sustaining recent gains in internal security and safeguarding lives and property across the country.
By PRNigeria
