Police operatives
By JOSEPH DANJUMA, Lafia-
In a decisive operation, the Nasarawa State Police Command apprehended a notorious kidnapper and armed robber in his forest hideout in Doma Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, in a statement issued on Sunday in Lafia.
According to SP Nansel, officers from the Doma Police Division captured the suspect, a resident of Yelwa village, known for orchestrating numerous kidnappings and robberies across Doma LGA and surrounding areas.
“This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to rooting out criminal elements in Nasarawa State,” Nansel stated.
The suspect, who had evaded arrest in July 2023 when his gang was apprehended, was spotted during a clearance operation in Doka forest.
“In a desperate attempt to escape, he brandished a knife to attack our officers but was quickly subdued,” Nansel added.
Following his arrest, the suspect led police to a hideout in Alagye village, where incriminating items were recovered, including a pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551), a locally made AK-47 rifle with a magazine, two live ammunition rounds, five cartridges, a knife, a rope, two Tecno handsets, and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps uniform.
In a related development, personnel from the Awe Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested five members of a 10-man kidnapping syndicate in Gidan Taking village.
Investigations revealed the group was responsible for abducting Blessing John from Gidan Makaranta village in Awe LGA and had previously kidnapped her husband, John Ada-Kuje, in April 2024, securing a ransom for his release.
The police recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live ammunition round from the suspects.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed praised the officers for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to maintain relentless pressure on criminals.
“We will not rest until Nasarawa State is free from the menace of kidnappers and armed robbers,” the CP declared.
All suspects have been handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution.
