The Nigeria Police Force says it has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of two suspected banditry and kidnapping kingpins in Kwara state.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, December 19, 2025, during a covert operation conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–intelligence response team (FID–IRT) in collaboration with the Kwara state police command.
The police said the operation was carried out along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state.
Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi ‘m’, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’, aged 30.
Police said both suspects were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama local government area of the state
Items recovered from the suspects include a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, ₦500,000 cash, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
The force said investigations revealed that the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments, while the cash recovered was unspent ransom money.
Preliminary findings showed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara states, and also involved in supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements.
The police said both suspects are cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
The force added that 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.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, and reassured Nigerians of the force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and combating banditry and kidnapping.
The police urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.