In a major boost to Nigeria’s intensifying war against banditry and kidnapping, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded what security officials describe as a decisive operational breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins who have long terrorised communities across four states in the North-Central and North-West regions of the country.
The arrests, carried out in a covert intelligence-led operation in Kwara State, have not only led to the recovery of high-grade firearms, live ammunition, cash, and ransom-linked assets, but have also exposed the increasingly bold intersection between criminal violence and social media propaganda, where bandits flaunt wealth and weapons to project power and intimidate the public.
Investigations by DDM NEWS reveal that the operation marks a critical disruption of a cross-border criminal network believed to be responsible for numerous kidnappings, armed attacks, and arms trafficking activities spanning Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara States.
A Carefully Executed Covert Operation
According to official police sources, the arrests took place on Friday, December 19, 2025, following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT). The operatives were working in close collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, leveraging local intelligence and technical tracking to pinpoint the suspects’ movements.
The operation culminated along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, a largely rural corridor that has increasingly become a transit route for armed groups fleeing intensified security pressure in the North-West.
Security sources told DDM NEWS that the terrain, characterised by dense vegetation and poorly monitored routes, has been repeatedly exploited by bandit gangs to move weapons, ransom proceeds, and abducted victims across state lines.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives intercepted the suspects during what investigators believe was a routine movement between hideouts. The arrest was executed without civilian casualties, a feat police authorities say reflects the growing emphasis on precision operations rather than broad sweeps.
The Suspects: Young, Armed, and Deeply Embedded
The two suspects arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide, aged 30. Both men were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA, at the time of arrest.
Despite their relatively young ages, preliminary investigations indicate that both suspects play significant roles within a highly organised banditry and kidnapping syndicate that has operated with deadly efficiency across multiple states.
Police intelligence describes the syndicate as a hybrid criminal network, combining kidnapping-for-ransom operations with arms supply and logistical support for other criminal elements. This dual role, investigators say, has allowed the group to sustain its operations financially while expanding its influence across a wide geographical area.
Weapons, Cash, and the Trail of Ransom
Items recovered from the suspects during the operation paint a stark picture of the financial and military capacity of modern bandit gangs.
Among the recovered exhibits were:
- One AK-47 rifle, complete with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition
- ₦500,000 in cash, identified as unspent ransom proceeds
- One brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at approximately ₦1.85 million
Police investigators revealed that the motorcycle was purchased directly with proceeds from ransom payments, a detail that underscores how kidnapping operations are quickly converted into tangible assets to enhance mobility and evade security forces.
“The motorcycle was not just a means of transport,” a senior police source told DDM NEWS. “It was part of their operational infrastructure—bought with ransom money, used to move quickly between locations, and to support further criminal activity.”
The AK-47 rifle and ammunition, meanwhile, reinforce longstanding concerns about the ease with which criminal groups access military-grade weapons, either through cross-border trafficking or internal diversion.
From Social Media Bravado to Police Custody
One of the most striking revelations surrounding the arrests is the link between criminal activity and social media exposure. The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral video circulating on social media, where a heavily armed young man was filmed flaunting large sums of cash and firearms.
The video, which sparked widespread outrage and fear among Nigerians, was widely interpreted as an act of intimidation and a show of dominance by bandit groups emboldened by years of weak enforcement and slow justice.
Security analysts say such videos serve multiple purposes: they attract recruits, intimidate communities, mock state authority, and reassure financiers and collaborators of the group’s strength.
Investigators disclosed to DDM NEWS that digital intelligence and social media monitoring played a key role in identifying Siddi, tracking his movements, and linking him to known kidnapping incidents.
“This is a clear example of how criminals’ own bravado can become their undoing,” a police intelligence officer said. “The same platforms they use to threaten society are now being used to identify and dismantle them.”
A Gang With Regional Reach
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects belong to a larger syndicate responsible for violent attacks and kidnappings across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara States. The gang is believed to operate a network of forest hideouts, collaborators in rural communities, and financial channels that allow them to receive and launder ransom payments.
Even more troubling, police investigations suggest that the syndicate also supplies arms and ammunition to other criminal groups, effectively acting as a force multiplier in Nigeria’s insecurity crisis.
“This is not just about two suspects,” a security analyst told DDM NEWS. “It’s about dismantling a supply chain—money, weapons, logistics—that fuels banditry across an entire region.”
Cooperation and the Hunt for More Suspects
Police authorities confirmed that both suspects are currently in custody and are cooperating with investigators. Information already obtained, officials say, is helping security agencies identify additional members of the syndicate, locate hideouts, and trace the sources of weapons and funds.
Further operations are expected in the coming days, as intelligence derived from the suspects is analysed and acted upon.
While police declined to disclose operational details, citing security concerns, sources indicated that arrests beyond Kwara State may be imminent.
Commendation From the IGP
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has formally commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as professionalism, dedication, and effective intelligence-led policing.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the IGP reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and restoring public confidence in internal security.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unwavering in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all citizens,” the statement read, adding that operations against violent criminals will continue across the country.
The Bigger Security Picture
The arrests come at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to tackle banditry and kidnapping through a combination of kinetic operations, intelligence gathering, financial tracking, and digital surveillance. Recent months have seen increased cooperation between federal units, state commands, and intelligence agencies.
Security experts say the Kwara operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-driven policing, particularly when combined with community support and technological monitoring.
However, analysts also warn that isolated arrests, while significant, must be followed by sustained pressure, prosecution, and systemic reforms to prevent criminal networks from regenerating.
Public Cooperation: A Critical Factor
Police authorities have once again urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information. According to officials, community intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in identifying suspicious movements, hideouts, and collaborators.
For residents of affected communities, the arrests offer a measure of reassurance that security agencies are closing in on those who have long operated with impunity.