POLICE ARREST TWO NOTORIOUS KIDNAP KINGPINS IN KWARA, RECOVER ARMS, CASH
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major success in its ongoing crackdown on insecurity with the arrest of two alleged kidnapping kingpins whose activities reportedly cut across four northern states.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the suspects were arrested during a covert intelligence-led operation carried out in Kwara State.
According to Hundeyin, the operation was executed by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, leading to the arrest of Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, popularly called Gide, aged 30.
“The suspects were intercepted along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State,” Hundeyin stated.
He added that “Preliminary investigation revealed they are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kwara states.”
During the operation, the police recovered several incriminating items from the suspects, “including an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition and ₦500,000 in cash, which the authorities identified as unspent ransom money.”
Also recovered was a brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, valued at ₦1.85m.
“Investigations revealed the motorcycle was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments.
“Further findings indicate that the gang also doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to criminal elements,” the police spokesperson added.
Hundeyin further revealed that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman (Siddi), had long been on the radar of security agencies and was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video flaunting illegal firearms and large sums of money.
He noted that the suspects are currently “cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and recovery of additional weapons.”
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their “professionalism and dedication” in executing the operation.
“The Force remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of all citizens,” the IG was quoted as saying.
The police leadership also urged members of the public to stay vigilant and continue to provide useful information to support ongoing security operations nationwide.
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