Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Akwanga-Jos Road, rescuing four abducted victims unharmed after engaging suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun battle that forced the criminals to abandon their captives and flee. The rescue operation took place on the night of July 20, 2026, following a distress call received at approximately 9:40 p.m. reporting that armed hoodlums were operating around the Megona Filling Station in Andaha, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state. According to a statement issued on July 21 by the command's Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, operatives attached to the Andaha Division were immediately deployed to the scene, with the Divisional Police Officer personally leading the tactical team to the location.
Upon sighting the advancing security operatives, the suspected kidnappers reportedly opened fire in a desperate attempt to escape. The police responded with superior tactical firepower, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire that forced the criminals to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The police spokesperson confirmed that all four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and taken to safety. Officers also recovered several food items and other provisions believed to have been stolen from a nearby provision store, which were taken into police custody as exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, commended the officers for their bravery and swift response, describing the successful rescue as a clear demonstration of the command's resolve to protect lives and property across the state. The commissioner has ordered an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects and directed the deployment of all available operational and intelligence assets to ensure their immediate arrest and prosecution. According to the police, the ongoing operation is being carried out in collaboration with military personnel, local vigilante groups, and hunters, with sustained bush-combing operations continuing in the area to track down the fleeing gunmen.
The command has urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to assist security agencies in tackling crime across the state. The rescue operation highlights the persistent threat of highway banditry along the Akwanga-Jos corridor, which has been a recurring hotspot for kidnapping and armed robbery. The successful intervention, however, demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and tactical response in disrupting criminal operations and safeguarding travellers in one of Nasarawa State's most vulnerable routes.
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