The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of two suspected bandits allegedly involved in killings and kidnappings across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.
One of the suspects was identified as Abubakar Usman, popularly known as Siddi, who was recently seen in a viral video flaunting firearms and large sums of money. The second suspect was identified as Shehu Mohammadu, also known as Gide.
In a statement on Friday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspects were arrested on December 19 along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT).
Hundeyin disclosed that items recovered from the suspects include a brand-new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, N500,000 in cash, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition. He added that investigations revealed the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states,” the statement said.
It further revealed that the gang also supplies arms and ammunition to other criminal elements, adding that both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
The police reiterated that Abubakar Usman (Siddi) was the individual recently identified in a viral social media video displaying firearms and large amounts of cash.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, assuring Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and combating banditry and kidnapping nationwide.
The police also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
