The the Nigeria Police Force on Friday announced its operatives have arrested two ‘notorious bandits” said to be part of the terrorist gangs unleashin violence on parts of Kwara, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states.
According to a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by thr Force’s spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the arrested bandits have been identified as “Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi ‘m’ aged 26 and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’ aged 30.”
The duo according to the police one of the arrested bandits has been identified as the person seen in a viral social media video flaunting Ak 47 and wads of cash received from kidnap victims.
The Force noted that the arrest of the bandits is a significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins responsible for violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States.
It noted that on Friday, 19th December, 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State, in a covert operation carried out in collaboration with operatives of the Kwara State Police Command, intercepted and arrested two members of a dangerous banditry and kidnapping gang along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Both suspects were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State at the time of arrest.
The police revealed that during the operation, the following items were recovered from the suspects: one brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at ₦1,850,000.00, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments; ₦500,000.00 cash, being unspent ransom money; one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States. Further findings indicate that the gang also doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to criminal elements.
Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and recovery of additional weapons.
The Nigeria Police Force further recalls that one of the suspects, 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.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the operatives involved for their professionalism and dedication, and reassures Nigerians of the Force’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
The police urged members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to aide the arrest of fleeing bandits.
