Nigerian police say they have arrested two suspected bandit leaders believed to be behind a string of kidnappings and violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the force public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects were apprehended on 19 December along the Komen–Masallaci axis of Kaiama local government area in Kwara state.
The men, identified as Abubakar Usman and Shehu Mohammadu, were arrested during a covert operation carried out by operatives of the force intelligence department’s intelligence response team, working in collaboration with Kwara state police.
Hundeyin said Usman had recently been identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video flaunting firearms and large sums of cash.
Police said items recovered during the operation included a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, valued at ₦1.85m, which investigators believe was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments; ₦500,000 in cash, described as unspent ransom money; and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang that has terrorised communities across the four states, the police said. Further inquiries indicate the group also acts as a supplier of arms and ammunition to other criminal networks.
Hundeyin said both men were cooperating with investigators to aid the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional weapons.
