The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.
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The suspects were arrested on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide, aged 30. Both suspects were apprehended in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA, at the time of the operation.
Items recovered from the suspects include:
- A brand-new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which police said was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments
- ₦500,000 cash believed to be unspent ransom money
- One AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping syndicate terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states. Police also disclosed that the gang is involved in supplying arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
The suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
The police further recalled that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman, was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video where firearms and large sums of money were flaunted.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, assured Nigerians of the Force’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating banditry and kidnapping, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens nationwide.
The police also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Meanwhile, troops of the 3 Division and Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have thwarted a planned attack by armed bandits in Plateau state.
The soldiers also killed a notorious terrorist kingpin, recovering weapons in the process.
Acting on “credible intelligence” in the early hours of December 25, the troops launched an operation in Gwande community, Monguna District, Bokkos LGA.
In a statement, Samson Zhakom, information officer of the operation, said the bandits, who were reportedly preparing to attack a neighbouring community, were intercepted and engaged.
He said troops recovered:
- A fabricated revolver rifle
- A fabricated pistol
- Nine rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
- Six cartridges from the scene
“In the early hours of 25 December 2025, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a decisive operation at Gwande Community, Monguna District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,” the statement reads.
“During the operation, troops made contact with a group of armed bandits who were mobilising to launch an attack on a nearby community. The troops swiftly engaged the criminals, forcing them to flee in disarray.”
“In the subsequent exchange of gunfire, one bandit was neutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.”
Zhakom said preliminary investigations confirmed that the slain bandit was a member of a feared syndicate terrorising Gwande and surrounding areas.
Following the encounter, the troops have intensified efforts to track down fleeing members of the gang.
The army reassured residents of Plateau state of commitment to ensuring peace and security, urging the public to continue sharing timely and credible intelligence.
The military also issued a warning to criminal elements operating in the area to cease illegal activities or face decisive action.
The two operations—one by the police in Kwara and another by the military in Plateau—demonstrate coordinated security efforts across Nigeria to combat banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism during the festive season.
The recovery of weapons, cash, and motorcycles from the suspects, along with the neutralization of a terrorist kingpin in Plateau, represent significant blows to criminal networks operating across multiple states.
The timing of these operations, particularly the Plateau operation on Christmas Day, suggests heightened security vigilance during the holiday period when criminals often attempt to exploit reduced security awareness.
The cooperation between different security agencies—as evidenced by the joint operation between FID-IRT and Kwara State Police Command—also highlights improved inter-agency coordination in the fight against violent crime.
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