Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ilorin, Kwara State — Security forces in Kwara State have dealt a significant blow to organised crime and violence in Nigeria’s north‑central region with the arrest of two notorious bandits and alleged kidnapping kingpins responsible for terrorising communities across multiple states.
In a coordinated, intelligence‑led operation carried out by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, two high‑profile suspects were apprehended along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. The arrests occurred on Friday, December 19, 2025, after targeted surveillance and actionable intelligence indicated the pair were on the move in a remote area often used by criminal networks to evade detection.
The suspects have been identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as “Siddi,” aged 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, alias “Gide,” aged 30. According to police statements, both individuals are alleged leaders of a trans‑state banditry and kidnapping syndicate responsible for a string of violent offences, including abductions for ransom, armed robbery, and other serious crimes spanning Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara states. Authorities say the network has been linked to numerous kidnappings that have inflicted deep trauma on affected communities.
Major Evidence Seized
During the operation, police recovered key items believed to link the suspects to criminal activity. Recovered items include:
-
A fully loaded AK‑47 rifle with 20 rounds of live ammunition, a weapon type frequently used in armoured criminal operations;
-
₦500,000 in cash, which police described as unspent ransom money thought to be tied to recent abductions; and
-
A brand‑new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, valued at approximately ₦1.85 million, which authorities say was purchased with proceeds from ransom payments.
The seizure of weapons, cash, and other assets underscores the scale of the alleged criminal enterprise and provides investigators with valuable material evidence as they prepare charges and further interrogations.
The arrests form part of an intensified nationwide push by Nigerian security agencies to clamp down on kidnapping, banditry, and trafficking networks that have plagued vulnerable regions for years. These organised criminal groups have exploited rural landscapes and cross‑border corridors to carry out abductions, extortion, and violent raids, often leaving families destitute and communities destabilised.
In recent months, Kwara State has seen a series of security challenges linked to armed groups. In late November 2025, gunmen reportedly stormed Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area, abducting at least 11 residents—including women and children—highlighting the ongoing threat posed by banditry in the region.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the force, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the arrests were a direct result of improved intelligence gathering and swift tactical responses, reflecting a broader shift toward proactive, evidence‑based policing in the fight against organised crime. Authorities have pledged to build on this success by pursuing other members of the network and expanding operations into areas where criminal elements have sought to regroup.
Officials in Kwara State welcomed the arrests as a major breakthrough in efforts to secure the safety of residents and restore confidence in law enforcement. Local leaders, traditional authorities, and community activists have repeatedly pressed state and federal authorities for more robust measures to protect rural and peri‑urban areas, which have frequently borne the brunt of attacks by criminal gangs.
In response to rising insecurity, the Kwara State government has also taken steps to bolster community‑based safety initiatives. Earlier in December, the administration announced the recruitment of 2,600 forest guards tasked with supporting security agencies to protect remote areas vulnerable to bandit incursions and kidnapping. The initiative reflects recognition that traditional security force deployments must be supplemented with local vigilance to safeguard lives and property.
While the arrests have been broadly welcomed by many residents who have grown weary of kidnappings and armed violence, civil society advocates emphasise the importance of due process and transparency as criminal cases progress through the justice system. Legal experts note that ensuring the suspects’ rights are upheld—including access to legal representation and fair trial standards—is essential to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law.
Human rights organisations have also called for parallel efforts to address wider socio‑economic conditions that contribute to criminality, including poverty, youth unemployment, and lack of educational opportunities in rural communities.
The success in Kwara comes against a backdrop of heightened security operations across Nigeria, where armed groups, including bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers, continue to pose challenges to national stability. In neighbouring northern states, authorities have mounted operations to rescue abductees and dismantle criminal networks, with several high‑profile cases capturing national attention, including the release of 130 schoolchildren and staff abducted from a boarding school in Niger State, following coordinated military and police action.
Despite such efforts, insecurity remains a pressing concern in various parts of the country, and authorities acknowledge that sustained pressure, community cooperation, and inter‑agency collaboration are required to dismantle entrenched networks and prevent the reemergence of violent crime syndicates.
Following their arrest, Usman and Mohammadu are expected to be formally charged with multiple offences, including kidnapping, possession of illegal firearms, and participation in a criminal syndicate. Prosecutors will present evidence gathered during the operation to support charges that could carry significant penalties under Nigerian criminal law.
Police investigators are also pursuing leads that may uncover additional members of the network and further assets linked to ransom payments or violent crimes. Residents in affected communities have been urged to come forward with any information that could assist in ongoing investigations.
The arrests mark a notable achievement in Kwara State’s security landscape and signal a strong message to criminal elements that law enforcement remains committed to dismantling violent networks and ensuring safer communities across Nigeria’s north‑central region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments