The Nasarawa State Police Command has reported major security successes, arresting 12 suspected criminals and rescuing seven individuals held hostage across the state since the start of the year.
Several firearms and other items linked to criminal activities were also recovered during operations in all 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Mohammed made the disclosure on Friday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Lafia, highlighting the achievements of the command from January 1 to date.
“Between January 1 and today, our operatives have arrested 10 suspected kidnappers and two armed robbery suspects. We also recovered five firearms, two magazines, two rounds of ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦200,000 in cash suspected to be proceeds of crime,” CP Mohammed said.
He detailed one of the operations in Awe Local Government Area, which led to the neutralisation of a suspected kidnapper and the rescue of a victim.
“On January 2, information reached us that suspected kidnappers had abducted Shuaibu Umoru of Giza town. Following this, we launched a manhunt,” the CP said.
He explained that on January 11, police, working with local hunters, tracked a suspect to Sabon Gida–Abuni forest in Awe.
“The suspects opened fire, but our operatives returned fire, neutralising one of them and recovering an AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition. The victim was rescued and safely reunited with his family,” CP Mohammed added.
In a separate incident along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station Road on January 2, two suspected kidnappers, Musa Ahmed, 29, and Adamu Yusuf, 28, were apprehended after being intercepted on a motorcycle.
“The suspects attempted to bribe our officers with ₦200,000, but the bribe was rejected and recovered as evidence,” the Commissioner said.
Investigations revealed that the duo had previously kidnapped a resident of Arusu Village in Kokona LGA. “During a previous rescue operation, the suspects escaped with gunshot injuries but have since confessed to their crimes,” CP Mohammed confirmed.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Nasarawa State, urging residents to continue providing timely intelligence to law enforcement agencies.
