By Nkechi Eze
The Nasarawa State Police Command has recorded significant operational successes in its sustained fight against kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, arresting 12 suspects, rescuing seven victims and recovering arms, ammunition and cash between January 1, 2026 and date.
The achievements were outlined during a press briefing presented by the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, on January 16, 2026, at the Police Command Headquarters, Lafia.
Welcoming journalists and members of the public, the Commissioner of Police said the briefing was convened to update residents of the state on the major breakthroughs recorded by the Command through intelligence-led and proactive policing operations.
According to the CP, within the review period, the Command arrested a total of 10 suspected kidnappers and two suspected armed robbers. Five firearms were recovered, including an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle without breech number, a pump-action rifle and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol. Also recovered were two rounds of live ammunition, two magazines, one motorcycle and the sum of ₦200,000, while seven victims were successfully rescued.
Highlighting specific operations, CP Mohammed disclosed that on January 2, 2026, at about midnight, suspected kidnappers invaded Giza town and abducted a 43-year-old resident, Shuaibu Umoru. Following the incident, he ordered an immediate manhunt for the perpetrators. Acting on actionable intelligence on January 11, 2026, police operatives attached to Awe Division, in collaboration with local hunters, stormed a forest at Sabon Gida–Abuni area of Awe Local Government Area, where the victim was found tied to a tree.
Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire but were overpowered, leading to the neutralisation of one suspected kidnapper and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and two rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition. The victim was rescued, debriefed and reunited with his family.
In another operation on January 2, 2026, at about 5:54 pm, operatives attached to Nasarawa Eggon Division, while on routine patrol along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station Road, intercepted two suspects riding on a Daylong motorcycle at a snap checkpoint. The suspects, Musa Ahmed, 29, of Nunku Village, Akwanga Local Government Area, and Adamu Yusuf, 28, of Basa Village, Kokona Local Government Area, attempted to bribe the operatives with ₦200,000, which was rejected and recovered as an exhibit.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped a victim at Arusu Village in Kokona Local Government Area. Police engagement at the scene led to the rescue of the victim, while the suspects initially escaped with gunshot wounds. Upon their eventual arrest, one of the suspects was found to still be nursing a gunshot injury, and both have since confessed to the crime.
The Commissioner further disclosed that on January 6, 2026, at about 4:20 am, operatives attached to Mararaba ‘A’ Division, Karu Local Government Area, foiled an armed robbery operation following a distress call that about four armed robbers attacked a wine shop along Calvary Road, Mararaba, during which one person sustained injuries. Swift police response forced the robbers to flee, abandoning a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
On January 10, 2026, at about 10:00 pm, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Robbery Section arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects, Kabiru Isah and Monday Bulus, who had been on the Command’s wanted list for their involvement in several robbery incidents across the state. During the operation, one G3 rifle without a breech number was recovered, while a follow-up operation the next day led to the recovery of a pump-action rifle. Investigations revealed that the suspects had sneaked into Lafia and were planning criminal operations around Azuba Centre before they were apprehended. They will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
The Command also recorded success in rescuing abducted children. On January 5, 2026, following a discreet and intelligence-driven operation, four children who had gone missing under suspicious circumstances were rescued unhurt. The incident was reported on December 31, 2025, at New Nyanya Division, Karu Local Government Area. Acting on intelligence, detectives of the Command, in collaboration with the FCT Police Command, traced the suspects’ hideout and safely recovered the children.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the children were allegedly abducted by Abraham Asoje, 28, in conspiracy with Joy Bolaje, 29, both of Ado Junction, Karu Local Government Area, where the children were kept in confinement before police intervention. The rescued children have since been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.
Similarly, on January 8, 2026, at about 4:00 pm, operatives attached to Assakio Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, raided kidnappers’ hideouts in Angara and Fadaman Bauna villages of Lafia East Development Area. The operation led to the arrest of six suspected kidnappers and the rescue of three victims, comprising two females and one male. The victims were rescued unhurt, treated and reunited with their families.
The arrest followed a complaint that suspected kidnappers had invaded Angara village on January 7, abducted two females while abandoning an infant, and later kidnapped another male from the same community. The suspects have confessed to the crime and have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for further investigation and prosecution.
In his concluding remarks, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed described the achievements as a testament to effective community policing, strong inter-agency collaboration and proactive law enforcement. He urged members of the public to sustain their cooperation with the Police by providing timely and credible information, assuring that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring lasting peace and security across Nasarawa State.
