Police arrest 13 suspected kidnappers, 20 others for various offenses in Nasarawa
By Faith Awa Maji
In its relentless fight against crime, the Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a total number of 33 suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Umar Nadada gave the figure while briefing newsmen Wednesday on the achievements recorded by the Command in Lafia.
He said on 4/4/2024, information was received that four individuals were kidnapped at Rukubi, and the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit were deployed to go after the suspects and rescue the victims.
“Following the successful operation and rescue of the victims, while conveying them to Rukubi town, the victims sighted one of their captors Shagari Ibrahim ‘M’ of Kadarko, Keana LGA and he was immediately arrested.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the Commission of the crime and further claimed responsibility for the abduction of some students of Federal University of Lafia at Confidence Hotel, Makurdi road, Lafia; he thereafter confessed to have carried out Kidnapping Operations at Rukubi, Gandu, Kadarko and Agyaragu.
“On 14/04/2024 at about 1500hrs, base on credible information, Police operatives attached to ‘B’ Division, Lafia arrested one Umar Idris ‘M’ of Rukubi area, Doma LGA for alleged cattle rustling where the sum of one Million Three Hundred and thirty thousand Naira was recovered from him as exhibit.
“The suspect has confessed to being a cattle rustler and stated that it is his major means of getting money; he was arrested at a brothel while enjoying the proceed of crime.
“On 19/03/2024 at about 1600hrs, a complaint was lodged at Garaku Division that a 5yrs old child was playing with her peers at the neighborhood, but one Adamu Ishaku ‘M’ of Mararaba Kokona village lured her into his room and defiled her.
“Responding to the distressing occurrence, the Police Immediately swung into action and got the suspect arrested.
“Also, on 18/03/2024 at about 1730hrs, operatives attached to Mararaba ‘B’ Division, Abacha road arrested one Saviour Kingdom ‘M’ of Kabayi was arrested for defiling a 4yrs old child”, according to CP Nadada.
Similarly, on 20/04/2024 at about 2230hrs, one Ibrahim Dahiru ‘M’ of Kawo Village, Doma LGA was arrested for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 7yrs old child.
CP Shehu Umar Nadada noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect called the victim under the pretext of sending her on an errand, but ended up taking her into his room where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
“On 28/4/2024 at about 0230hrs, information was received that suspected armed robbers attacked residents of Zamani Estate, Mararaba, Karu LGA and dispossessed them of mobile phones, ATM cards and other valuables.
“Reacting to the ugly development, Police operatives based on actionable intelligence discovered the hideout of the criminals and raided the place where one Abubakar Ahmed ‘M’ of Kano State was arrested while others escaped. A thorough search led to the recovery of two cell phones and ATM cards belonging to the victims.
“A follow up investigation also led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate namely: Maryam Ibrahim, Hafsat Umar, Maryam Ismaila and Hauwa’u Ibrahim”.
In same vein, on 11/04/2024 at about 1900hrs, the duo of Andrew Julius ‘M’ 34yrs and Kenneth Torhem conspired and attacked one Fabian Akpoor along Adudu-Ribi road and snatched his Honda Motorcycle and a cell phone.
The Nasarawa State CP said while investigation is ongoing, information was received that one of the suspect was sighted at the scene of crime; he claimed to be searching for his missing mobile phone. Consequently, the above mentioned suspects were arrested and have all confessed to the commission of the crime.
“On 17/04/2024 at about 1545hrs, a distress call was received that four individuals posing as EFCC personnel, using a Toyota Corolla green in colour with registration number Abuja YAB 509 TT robbed some students of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa at Samakwe Lodge behind Government College, Nasarawa LGA and Abducted one Audu Kingsley, an ND Two Student of the same Polytechnic.
“Reacting to the unsavoury development, Police operatives gave the suspects a hot chase, and a road block was mounted at Laminga Junction to stop the suspects from escaping with the victim, but they hit the barrier and fled. Furthermore, Police operatives at Anguwan Madugu called to mount another road block which the suspects sighted from a distance; they abandoned their operational Vehicle and the abducted Student and fled.
“Luck ran out of one of the suspects as he was caught and beaten mercilessly by an angry mob before the arrival of the Police while others fled. The suspects was rescued by the Police and rushed to Primary Health care, Laminga where he died while receiving treatment.
“The operational Vehicle of the suspects was recovered and taken to the station where a search was conducted and two identification cards identifying the fleeing members of the syndicate were recovered.
“A follow up investigation in to the case led to the arrest of three other members of the gang namely: Hyelda Aliyu Ibrahim, Henry Patrick Okwu and Shuaibu Abubakar (the operation driver of the syndicate) all males of Customs Quarters and up Market area of Masaka where one Iphone 12 promax and one Tecno Spark 5 earlier robbed from some of their victims and Fake EFCC ID card were recovered from them as exhibits.
“The suspects have confessed to be the syndicate responsible for robbing and terrorizing Student areas in Keffi and Nasarawa LGA. Victims of their nefarious activities have come forward to identify the suspects.
“On 30/3/2024 at about 1130hrs, a complaint was lodged at Nasarawa Eggon Division by Abdulmumuni Mohammed of Lili Village that his resident was invaded by a syndicate comprising three kidnappers who tried to kidnap him and his brother, but they resisted. The kidnappers shot at him and five others; unknown to them that he recognized one of the assailants.
“Reacting based on the strength of the information, Police operatives launched a manhunt for the suspects and arrested one Usman Yusuf ‘M’ 25yrs. A follow up investigation led to the subsequent arrest of Adamu Usman ‘M’ 24yrs where six empty shell of expended AK 47 ammunition were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
“The suspects have confessed to the Commission of the offence and investigation is ongoing.
“On 14/4/2024 information was received that one Ali Lawal ‘M’ 20yrs contacted someone at Feferuwa village, Lafia East to organise Kidnappers that will abduct one Musa Isah ‘m’ of Ajibawa, Lafia East Development Area.
“Acting based on information, the suspect (Ali Lawal) was trailed and arrested where one locally fabricated revolver short gun was recovered from him as exhibit.
“On 14/4/2024 the duo of Wada Alhaji Ali 25yrs and Kabiru Alhaji Ali 30yrs were arrested at Assakio by operatives of Nigeria Army and handed over to the police for further investigation.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects invaded the residence of one Alhaji Kura at Mai Akuya village in a bid to kidnap him but they met his absence. Not relenting, the criminals proceeded to the house of one Aliyu Ahmadu but he noticed their clandestine movement and escaped.
The criminals ransacked the residence of Aliyu Ahmadu and cart away with the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only.
The suspects have made useful statements and assisting the police in the investigation.
“On 22/4/2024 a complaint was lodged at ‘A’ Division Lafia by cattle rarer that he visited his farm and discovered that two of his cows have been stolen and taken to unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, investigation was carried out which led to the arrest of one Mohammed Idris and Yusuf Jatau in connection to the commission of the crime, but they denied involvement and stated that they are into Armed robbery; they usually block the road between Adudu and Daddere village where they snatch Motorcycles, phones and often rob unsuspecting road users of their personal belongings.
“On 07/04/2024 at about 2200hrs, Police operatives attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division arrested one Victor Jonathan AKA Korea for defiling two girls of between the ages of 13-14yrs.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the girls were sent on an errand while on their way back; the suspect conspired with his friend and forcefully took the girls to an uncompleted building located at Angwan Gwari, Kabayi Area of Karu LGA where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of them.
*Similarly, on 25/4/2024 at about 2301hrs, Police operatives arrested one Stephen Arigu Namo ‘M’ of Tudun Wada, Mararaba following a complaint that the suspect visited the House of one Sale Magaji at Aku Village, Base one Mararaba under the guise of delivering his 17yrs old daughter from a spiritual problem, but end up having unlawful carnal knowledge of her. The suspect has confessed to the crime and investigation is ongoing.
“On 03/05/2024 at about 1300hrs, Military personnel attached to 4 Special Forces Battalion, Doma arrested one Ibrahim Ali Tanko of Shabu, Lafia North Development Area for parading himself as a Military General.
“The suspect was subsequently transferred to the Police Command on 06/05/2024 for further investigation and persecution once investigation is completed.
“On 21/02/2024 at about 2300hrs information was received that the residence of one Shafi Ibrahim ‘F’ of Mangwar village was attacked by suspected armed robbers where they beat up the Woman and cart away the sum of #850,000 being the capital she is using in doing petty trading.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, an investigation was carried out where three suspects were arrested in connection to the commission of the offence namely: Williams Emmanuel 22yrs, Senken Sunday 20yrs and Monday Anthony 23yrs all males of Mangwar Village, Lafia East Development Area.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and stated that they were contracted to carry out the ugly act by the victim’s son named Terry Sunday who is on the run.
“Similarly, on 03/03/2024 at about 2300hrs, a complaint was lodged that a three man gang of armed robbers attacked one Ameh Christian Omeche behind international Market, Mararaba and dispossessed him of his Toyota Camry, 2010 model, mobile phone and inflicted injuries on him.
“In reaction, Police operatives swung into action and unraveled the faces behind the dastardly act. Consequently, one Abba Aliyu ‘M’ of Jos, Plateau State was arrested in connection to the crime and he confessed that two other members of the syndicate had escaped with the vehicle to unknown destination. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arrest the other fleeing suspects and made to face the full wrath of the law”.
He further explained that the fight against criminal is continuous just as he expressed the command’s gratitude to members of the public for their support and urged them to continue in order for a safer and secure Nasarawa State.
