The police authorities have announced the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins responsible for violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara States.

The force, in a statement issued by its public relations officer Benjamin Hundeyin on Friday, said the suspects—Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi ‘m’, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’, aged 30—were arrested along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama LGA of the state.

“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,” Mr Hundeyin said.

He said operatives recovered a brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, valued at ₦1,850,000, ₦500,000 cash, and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.

Mr Hundeyin stated that a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang, adding that further findings indicated that the gang also doubled 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,” Mr Hundeyin explained.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, reassuring Nigerians of the force’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.