Two suspected bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara states have been arrested by the police.
According to a statement on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects were apprehended on December 19 along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Hundeyin said the suspects, identified as **Abubakar Usman** and **Shehu Mohammadu**, were arrested during a covert operation carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command.
He disclosed that Usman was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral social media video flaunting firearms and large sums of money suspected to be proceeds of ransom payments.
Items recovered from the suspects include a brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million, which investigations revealed was bought with ransom proceeds; ₦500,000 cash believed to be unspent ransom money; and one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 20 rounds of live ammunition.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara states,” Hundeyin said.
He added that further findings showed the gang also supplies arms and ammunition to other criminal elements.
The police spokesperson noted that the suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to facilitate the arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of more weapons.
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