Police rescue 39 illegal immigrants, arrest suspected kidnapper in Nasarawa
By Faith AM
Nasarawa State Police Command says it has rescued 39 illegal immigrants, arrested one suspected kidnapper, recovered one firearm as well as two magazines and 11 live ammunition.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammad stated this on Monday during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Lafia.
According to him, the briefing highlights the Command zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking and its firm commitment to dismantling every network that exploits vulnerable persons within and beyond Nasarawa State.
He highlighted the rescue of trafficked victims and ongoing manhunt for human trafficker saying, “On 30th November, 2025, at about 10:40 hours, based on credible intelligence that some persons suspected to be foreign nationals who speak only French and Arabic had been sighted about a week earlier at Orange Market Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area, I immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Mararaba ‘A’ Division, to move to the scene for prompt action.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that about one week earlier, one Abdullahi Berter (Male), a Malian national resident in Nigeria, allegedly lured the victims under the pretext of securing job opportunities for them in France. The suspect illegally transported them from Mali to Orange Market, Mararaba, where they were held captive in a bungalow and instructed to invite more persons into Nigeria for an undisclosed operation.
“Upon receipt of this information a team of police detectives was immediately mobilised to the location, where 32 males and seven females, all Malian nationals with the exception of one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA.
“The prime suspect is currently at large, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him and any other members of the trafficking syndicate connected to this crime.
“All rescued victims will today be formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action in line with the law”, he said.
He further said, the command arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered firearm and ammunition. “On 24/11/2025 at about 0800hrs, credible intelligence was received indicating that a suspect, believed to be involved in kidnapping activities, was in possession of a firearm.
“Acting on this information, operatives of the Command arrested the suspect at about 1300hrs at Kertyo Village, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The suspect was identified as Abubakar Adamu (male) of Adudu District, Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
During interrogation, the suspect led detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted and the following items were recovered: One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 11 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition
“The suspect is currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
“I want to assure the good people of Nasarawa State that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. This rescue operation reflects our unwavering resolve to protect the vulnerable and to pursue traffickers relentlessly.
“Let me emphasise that under my leadership, the Nasarawa State Police Command will continue to put criminals on the run and dismantle trafficking and criminal networks. Nasarawa State is not a safe haven for human trafficking, and justice will find you wherever you hide”, CP Mohammad said.
