Police arrest two kidnapping kingpins in Kwara

The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested two suspected bandit and kidnapping kingpins believed to be behind violent crimes across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.

In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police described the arrests as a major operational breakthrough.

According to the statement, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), working with the Kwara State Police Command, intercepted the suspects during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on December 19, 2025.

The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, and 30-year-old Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide.

Items recovered during the operation include a brand-new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, alleged to have been bought with ransom proceeds, ₦500,000 in cash believed to be unspent ransom money, and an AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition.

Preliminary investigations, the Police said, link the suspects to a network involved in banditry and kidnapping across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States.

The gang is also suspected of supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal groups.

One of the suspects, Usman, was also identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video displaying firearms and large amounts of money.

The Police added that both suspects are cooperating with investigators to track down other members of the syndicate and recover more weapons.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the officers involved for their professionalism and assured Nigerians of the Force’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and improve public safety.

The Police urged members of the public to continue sharing credible information to support security operations nationwide.