Kwara State, Nigeria — In a dramatic sting operation, the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two high-profile bandits, including a self-styled “celebrity” criminal whose social media bravado ultimately led to his downfall.
A notorious kidnapping kingpin, arms supplier, and viral video star was arrested during the Kwara sting operation.
Abubakar Usman, 26, known by the alias Siddi, was taken into custody along with his accomplice, Shehu Mohammadu, 30 (alias Gide), following a joint covert operation by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) and the Kwara State Police Command.
The arrest, carried out along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area on Friday, marks a significant blow to a criminal syndicate accused of terrorizing communities and kidnapping for ransom across at least four states: Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara.
“This is a major operational breakthrough in our sustained campaign against violent crime,” said Force Spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin in a statement.
The Viral Video that Sealed His Fate
Usman’s arrest carries an additional layer of notoriety. Investigations confirmed he is the individual featured in a widely circulated viral video that had sparked public outrage. The footage showed a man, now identified as Usman, openly flaunting high-caliber firearms and wads of cash on social media—a reckless display of ill-gotten wealth that police say provided a critical lead.
“His desire for notoriety was his undoing,” a senior police intelligence source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent. “That video was more than just bravado; it was evidence. It gave us a face, a personality, and a trail to follow.”
A One-stop Criminal Enterprise
According to police findings, the duo were not merely kidnappers but part of a sophisticated, multi-faceted criminal operation. Preliminary investigations reveal the gang also functioned as a key arms and ammunition supply chain for other criminal elements in the region.
Items recovered during the arrest underscore the scale of their activities:
- One brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, valued at ₦1,85 million, purchased with ransom proceeds.
- ₦500,000 in cash, identified as unspent ransom money.
- One AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
“The recovery of these items, especially the weapon and the cash, points to the violent and lucrative nature of their crimes,” CSP Hundeyin stated.
Cooperation and the Net Widens
Authorities report that both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators. Their interrogation is focused on dismantling the wider network—identifying other syndicate members, locating additional weapons caches, and uncovering the financial structures supporting their operations.
“The arrest is not the endgame; it is a doorway,” the police statement emphasized. “We are focused on following every lead to ensure this criminal ecosystem is completely uprooted.”
A Warning and A Win
The successful operation sends a dual message. For communities plagued by banditry across the North-West and North-Central regions, it represents a tangible victory and a promise of intensified pressure on criminal gangs. For those engaged in such crimes, it serves as a stark warning: the pursuit of notoriety can transform a criminal into a target.
Police authorities have urged the public to continue providing credible information, assuring that all tips will be treated with utmost confidentiality. The two suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.