Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lafia, Nasarawa State — The Nasarawa State Police Command has reported a significant breakthrough in its efforts to stem the rising wave of kidnappings and violent crime across the state, announcing the arrest of 12 suspects and the rescue of seven abducted victims in coordinated police operations over the past two weeks.
Addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Lafia, Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed said the successes were achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, rapid deployment of tactical teams, and strong collaboration with community vigilantes and other security agencies, a strategy that is aimed at dismantling criminal networks that have terrorised parts of Nasarawa State.
According to the police, one high-profile incident involved the abduction of a 43-year-old resident, Shuaibu Umoru, who was taken from his home in Giza town on January 2, 2026. Following a distress call from the victim’s family, specialised police units mobilised and tracked the kidnappers into the Sabon Gida-Abuni forest in Awe Local Government Area, where the victim was found tied to a tree and held in a concealed camp. During the rescue, operatives engaged the kidnappers, resulting in one suspect being neutralised, while the victim was safely reunited with his family. An AK-47 rifle with ammunition was recovered at the scene, underscoring the dangerous firepower often wielded by criminal gangs.
In another strand of the operation, the command intercepted and arrested two men at a checkpoint along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station road after they allegedly attempted to bribe police officers with ₦200,000 — a sum police described as an inducement to compromise the ongoing investigation. These suspects, Musa Ahmed and Adamu Yusuf, were subsequently linked to a prior abduction in the Arusu community of Kokona Local Government Area.
The Police Commissioner also disclosed that detectives, working in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, conducted a joint operation that led to the rescue of four children abducted on December 31, 2025, in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area. Two suspects, Abraham Asoje and Joy Bolaje, were arrested in connection with that case.
In addition to kidnapping suspects, the police said operatives attached to the Anti-Robbery Section apprehended two notorious suspects — Kabiru Isah and Monday Bulus — who were long wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies across the state. A G3 rifle and a pump-action gun were recovered from them, reflecting the breadth of criminal activities the command is tackling.
The rescued victims, who include adults and children believed to have been held in various hideouts, are being offered immediate care and support as investigations continue. Police spokespeople noted that some of those rescued had been disoriented and traumatised by their captivity, emphasising the importance of prompt police intervention in reducing the physical and psychological toll on victims.
Commissioner Mohammed praised the role of local communities in providing timely tips that facilitated the intelligence-led operations, and urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities promptly. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Nasarawa State, saying that the arrests send a clear message that criminal gangs cannot operate with impunity.
The operations come amid rising public concern over kidnapping and armed robbery in parts of central Nigeria, where vulnerable roadways and forested hideouts have often provided cover for exigent criminal syndicates. Nasarawa, which borders the Federal Capital Territory, has on several occasions witnessed such security challenges, leading to heightened cooperation between state police and security agencies from neighbouring jurisdictions.
Security analysts have welcomed the recent successes by the Nasarawa police, noting that the combination of proactive policing, community engagement, and intelligence sharing can be critical in disrupting the networks that sustain kidnappings and other violent crimes. They also called for sustained investment in training and equipment for frontline officers to enhance rapid response capabilities, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where these crimes have been most prevalent.
The arrests of a dozen suspects in recent weeks, along with the recovery of firearms and the release of abducted citizens, are seen as a positive development by many residents. Local community leaders in Lafia and neighbouring towns have expressed relief that those held captive are now free, while urging law enforcement to maintain pressure on criminal elements to prevent a resurgence of kidnappings.
As the police continue to investigate and prepare cases for prosecution, authorities have underscored the importance of judicial follow-through to ensure that suspects are held accountable and that a deterrent message is sent to other would-be criminal actors.
The Nasarawa State Police Command said it remains committed to deepening its offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, and other security threats through collaborative strategies that protect communities and uphold the rule of law.
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