By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Nasarawa State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in early January, arresting 12 suspects, rescuing seven kidnapped victims, recovering five firearms, and seizing ₦200,000 offered as a bribe.
Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, disclosed the achievements while briefing journalists in Lafia, attributing the successes to intelligence-led policing, community support, and inter-agency cooperation.
The police chief said the command swung into action following the abduction of a 43-year-old man, identified as Shuaibu Umoru, from his residence in Giza in the early hours of January 2, 2026.
He explained that a sustained manhunt led operatives, working with local hunters, to a forest around Sabon Gida-Abuni in Awe Local Government Area on January 11, where the victim was found tied to a tree.
CP Mohammed said the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the operatives but were subdued with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of one suspect and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and two rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, while the victim was safely rescued and reunited with his family.
In another operation, officers at a snap checkpoint along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station Road intercepted two suspects, Musa Ahmed, 29, and Adamu Yusuf, 28, who attempted to bribe policemen with ₦200,000, an offer that was rejected and retained as evidence.
The commissioner said investigations linked the duo to an earlier kidnapping in Arusu Village, Kokona LGA, noting that both suspects sustained gunshot wounds during a previous encounter with police in which their victim was rescued.
He also revealed that a joint operation with the Federal Capital Territory Police Command led to the rescue of four children abducted on December 31, 2025, from New Nyanya in Karu Local Government Area, with Abraham Asoje, 28, and Joy Bolaje, 29, identified as the abductors.
CP Mohammed further disclosed that two high-profile armed robbery suspects, Kabiru Isah and Monday Bulus, long on the command’s wanted list, were arrested on January 10, leading to the recovery of a G3 rifle, while a follow-up operation yielded a pump-action rifle.
He commended the role of community policing and inter-agency collaboration, urging residents to continue volunteering credible information, and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Nasarawa State.
