In this study, poly(N-methylol methacrylamide) (NMMAAm) and poly(N-methylol methacrylamide/vinyl sulphonic acid) (NMMAAm-VSA) hydrogels were synthesized by $^{60}Co-{gamma}$ ray irradiation at an ambient temperature. The graphs belonging to the gelation percent- percent-dose and swelling curves were drawn by using data which were obtained from water and different pH solutions. Characterization of hydrogels was performed by FTIR and DSC-TGA analysis. Heavy metal ion ($Ni^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$) removal capacities of hydrogels were investigated in aqueous solutions, which had different concentrations (100-1500 mg/L). In metal ion removal studies, pH value of aqueous medium was kept constant at 5.0. Maximum metal ion removal values were obtained for NMMAAm-VSA (1:3 mole ratio) hydrogels. Metal ion removal capacities of NMMAAm-VSA (1:3 mole ratio) hydrogels were found as 82 mg/g and 98 mg/g for $Ni^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ ions, respectively.