The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major success in its ongoing battle against insecurity with the arrest of two notorious kidnapping kingpins whose criminal activities stretched across four northern states.
Confirming the development in a statement released on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspects were apprehended during a carefully executed covert operation in Kwara State.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) working in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command. The exercise led to the arrest of Abubakar Usman, popularly known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide, aged 30.
According to Hundeyin, “The suspects were intercepted along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.”
He explained that “Preliminary investigation revealed they are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara states.”
During the operation, police operatives recovered several incriminating items. These included “an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition and ₦500,000 in cash, which the authorities identified as unspent ransom money.”
Also recovered was a brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1,850,000.
Investigators disclosed that “Investigations revealed the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments.”
They further established that “Further findings indicate that the gang also doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to criminal elements” the FPRO added.
One of the arrested suspects, Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, had reportedly been under police surveillance for some time. He was recently identified as the individual featured in a viral social media video where he was seen displaying illegal firearms and large amounts of cash.
Hundeyin revealed that the suspects are currently “cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and recovery of additional weapons.”
Commenting on the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their “professionalism and dedication” to the successful execution of the mission.
“The Force remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of all citizens,” the IG was quoted as saying.
The police leadership also appealed to Nigerians to stay alert and continue providing useful and timely information to support ongoing security operations nationwide.
What you should know
The arrest of Abubakar Usman and Shehu Mohammadu highlights intensified efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to tackle kidnapping and banditry across the country.
Operating across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara states, the suspects were allegedly key figures in a criminal network involved in ransom-driven abductions and arms supply. The recovery of weapons, ransom money, and assets bought with illicit proceeds underscores the financial structure behind kidnapping operations.
Police authorities say the suspects’ cooperation could lead to further arrests and weapon recoveries, reinforcing the Force’s strategy of intelligence-led operations and inter-command collaboration to curb insecurity.
