The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its efforts to curb violent crime with the arrest of two suspected kidnapping kingpins believed to have operated across several northern states.
The arrests followed a covert intelligence-driven operation carried out in Kwara State by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team in conjunction with the Kwara State Police Command.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday, identifying the suspects as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, 26, and Shehu Mohammadu, popularly called Gide, 30.
According to the police, the duo were tracked and apprehended while attempting to move between communities within the state.
“The suspects were intercepted along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State,” Hundeyin stated.
The police said investigations had linked the suspects to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across at least four northern states, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the gang.
Items recovered from the suspects during the operation were said to include an AK-47 rifle and a sum of cash believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.
The suspects are currently in custody and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.