Lafia – The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 17 persons suspected to be behind recent kidnapping activities in different parts of the state.
The command spokesman, DSP Ramhan Nansel disclosed this while giving an update on security situation of the state in Lafia on Thursday.
He said that five other persons suspected to be armed robbers were also arrested while three suspects were arrested for cattle rustling.
According to Nansel, the arrests were made in conjunction with the military and local vigilantees.
Nansel who spoke on behalf of the state Police Commissioner, CP Maiyaki Baba said a joint operation in collaboration with military personnel and vigilante at Alogani/Eggon Hill also led to the rescue of four kidnapped victims.
He said six suspected kidnappers; Haruna Ibrahim, Umar Ibrahim, Yakubu Haruna, Rabiu Adamu, Adamu Mallam Musa and Abdulkadir Ibrahim were arrested.
According to him, two other suspects arrested during the operation and one AK 47 rifle that was recovered is in the custody of the military.
“The Police Command has written to the military authority for the handover of the suspects and exhibit for further investigation and prosecution.
“Preliminary Investigation revealed that the suspects were responsible for series of kidnapping along Nasarawa Eggon-Akwanga road and some parts of Lafia.
“Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia,.
“On 4/04/2023 at about 2000hrs, a complaint was lodged at Mada Station Division that, some hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Popsy oil and gas fueling station and kidnapped two pump attendants at Mada Station, Nasarawa Eggon LGA.
“Upon receipt of the report, the command launched extensive Investigation into the case. Consequently, one Muhammed Husseini ‘M’ of Shinge, Lafia was arrested in connection to the crime.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that his syndicate was hired by one Abubakar Ori ‘M’ of Mada station to carry out the act and led to the operatives to Mada Station where the said Abubakar Ori was arrested at his Kiosk located adjacent Popsy Oil and Gas station at Mada Station where he sells provisions.
“Similarly, acting based on actionable intelligence, one Dahiru Sani ‘m’ of Doma LGA was arrested for hiring a five-man kidnapping syndicate to kidnap one Alhaji Asharuwa (his brother in-law) where they demanded for five-million-naira ransom.
“Upon his arrest, the victim was released unhurt and has been reunited with his family. The suspect has confessed to the commission of the crime; investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia,” he said.
Aside this, Nansel said a notorious kidnapper was arrested on April 19.
“On 19/4/2023 at about 1707hrs based on a tip off, operatives of the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit arrested a kidnap kingpin named Shuaibu Mohammed AKA Chiyawa ‘M’ of Kadarko, Giza Development Area.
“The suspect who investigation has shown to be the gang leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing Dadere, Mararaba Akunza, Lafia, Agyaragu, Kadarko and environs has been on the wanted list of the Command for various cases of kidnapping and has been evading arrest before nemesis caught up with him.
” Investigation is ongoing; upon conclusion, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution,” he said.
He said that the police, acting on a tip off intercepted and arrested two persons suspected to be kidnappers on March 27.
“On 27/03/2023 at about 1730hrs, while acting based on a tip-off, Police operatives attached to Awe Division intercepted the duo of Usman Bello, 35yrs of Kanje Village, Awe LGA and Muhammed Nura 22yrs of Lafia along Awe-Kekura road, Awe LGA where one AK 47 rifle and one magazine were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
“The suspects have confessed to be members of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate operating in Bali, Taraba State but relocated to Awe LGA of Nasarawa state after security agents neutralized five of their members to continue with their kidnapping venture before nemesis caught up with them.
“Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
“On 13/04/2023 at about 0945hrs, a complaint was lodged at Masaka Division that, hoodlums armed with locally made gun attacked and robbed a House located at Kuchikau, Masaka area of Karu LGA and made away with two mobile phones of different brands and cash sum of one hundred and twenty thousand naira (#120,000).
“Upon receipt of the report, Police detectives attached to Masaka Division conducted discreet and diligent investigation in to the case.
“The effort of the operatives paid off when the suspects namely: Abdulrahman Mohammed, Zakari Yususf and Umar Mohamed who actively participated in the armed robbery operation were trailed and arrested at Keffi.
“The suspects led Police operatives to a bush part within Keffi where the locally fabricated gun used in carrying out the operation was recovered as exhibit.
“Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
“On 10/04/2023 at about 1900hrs, information was received that, suspected armed robbers blocked Pantaki-Burkunu road in Awe LGA and disposed one Dahiru Wakil of Pantaki Village of one Honda motorcycle, an Infinix Hot 10 mobile phone and other valuables.
“Reacting to the development, operatives of the Command’s State Intelligence Bureau swung into action and got the duo of Buba Alhaji Dajji and Rabiu Abdullahi Mohammed arrested.
“One locally made gun and one live cartridge were recovered from the suspects as exhibit.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime, and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
“On /01/2023 a complaint was lodged by Alhaji Bello of Okpata Village, Doma LGA that his son went on cattle rearing but was attacked by unknown criminals and one hundred and twenty cattles were rustled or taken away from him to unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, a manhunt for the rustlers was launched. Consequently, one Lawal Iliyasu and Abdullahi Karimu were arrested with the stolen cattles in Kogi State.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to have conspired with one Witti Bodo ‘M’ of Okpata Village, Doma LGA to carry out the act and he was subsequently arrested.
“Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
“On 10/2/2023 at about 1915hrs, acting based on credible intelligence, one Adamu Gagare Sule ‘M’ 25yrs and Umar Idris 20yrs who have been on the wanted list of the Command for offences of kidnapping were arrested at Kiguna Village, Lafia East Development area by operatives of the Command.
“Upon Interrogation, the suspects confessed to have kidnapped four people and took them to a forest reserve in Qua’anpan LGA of Plateau State and came to town to buy food for the victims held captive before luck ran out of them.
“Also, the suspects admitted to have engaged in various acts of kidnapping and armed robbery at Lafia East, Awe and Jenkwe Development area of Obi LGA.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of Investigation at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia,” he said.
The police spokesman
assured members of the public that the command will sustain the current onslaught against criminals in the state in synergy with sister security agencies and vigilante groups. (vitalnewsngr.com)
