The Nasarawa State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected kidnapper, who was involved in a lone motor accident in the Kokona Local Government Area of the state, in what is said to be a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crimes in the state, DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports.
According to the police command, sophisticated rifles, ammunition and a total sum of N6.9m cash were recovered from the suspect during his arrest on Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ramhan Nansel, made the disclosure in a press statement in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday.
The statement reads in part, “On 18/08/2025 at about 0908hrs, police operatives attached to Garaku Division received a distress call from Angwan Mayo community regarding a lone crash near the VIO checkpoint.
“Two occupants of an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
“Upon arrival, operatives discovered that members of the public had already gathered, while a vigilant VIO officer handed over a G3 rifle and cash earlier recovered from the accident vehicle.”
While noting that the accident vehicle was immediately towed to the police station where a thorough search was conducted, the PPRO mentioned the exhibits recovered to include one AK-47 rifle; one Type 06 rifle; one G3 rifle; three magazines and 57 rounds of live ammunition.
He further noted that a cash totaling N6,908,150 was also recovered by officers of the command.
“Reacting swiftly, the police, in collaboration with the Military, launched an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects. One of them, later identified as Mohammed Tahir, male, of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested after escaping into the forest.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnap gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja (FCT), from whom ransom was collected.
“He further admitted that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before the accident occurred. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects at large,” Nansel explained.
The PPRO therefore noted that following a directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation into the matter.
While applauding members of the public and the entire residents of the state for their efforts thus far in giving relevant information to the police, Nansel urged them to keep supporting the police and other security agencies in order to tackle all forms of criminality in the state.
