Police arrest 12 suspected criminals, rescue 7 hostages

The Nasarawa State Police Command has recorded significant security breakthroughs with the arrest of 12 suspected criminals and the rescue of seven people held hostage across the state.

According to the command, the successes were recorded between January 1, 2026, and the present time during various operations carried out across Nasarawa State. The interventions reportedly cut across the state’s 13 local government areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists at the command headquarters in Lafia, the state capital. He was outlining the achievements of the command during the period under review.

According to CP Mohammed, those arrested include 10 suspected kidnappers and two armed robbery suspects. He said the police recovered five firearms, two magazines, and two rounds of ammunition during the operations.

Other items recovered include one motorcycle and the sum of ₦200,000, which he said is believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.

Speaking on the neutralisation of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of a firearm in Awe LGA, the Commissioner said that on January 2, 2026, information was received that suspected kidnappers had invaded the residence of Shuaibu Umoru (not real name), 43, of Giza town, and abducted him to an unknown location.

Following this report, CP Mohammed said he immediately ordered a manhunt for the assailants.

“Subsequently, on January 11, 2026, at about 1:30 pm, information was received that an individual was sighted tied to a tree in a forest at Sabon Gida–Abuni area of Awe LGA. Police operatives attached to Awe Division, in collaboration with local hunters, were mobilised to the scene.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, but the operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation of one suspect and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and two rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition,” he explained.

CP Mohammed added that the victim was rescued, debriefed, and reunited with his family.

In another operation, the Commissioner said two suspected kidnappers, Musa Ahmed (29) and Adamu Yusuf (28), were arrested on January 2, 2026, along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station Road.

He explained that the suspects, who were intercepted on a motorcycle, allegedly attempted to bribe police officers with ₦200,000. The bribe was rejected and recovered as an exhibit.

“On January 2, 2026, at about 5:54 pm, police operatives attached to Nasarawa Eggon Division, while on routine patrol, mounted a snap checkpoint along the Nasarawa Eggon–Mada Station Road. Based on credible intelligence, Musa Ahmed of Nunku Village, Akwanga LGA, and Adamu Yusuf of Basa Village, Kokona LGA, who were riding a Daylong motorcycle, were intercepted and arrested.

“The suspects attempted to bribe the operatives with the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000), which was rejected and recovered as an exhibit,” he said.

CP Mohammed further revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspects had earlier kidnapped a person in Arusu Village, Kokona LGA, where police engaged them and rescued the victim, though the suspects escaped with bullet wounds.

“Upon their arrest, one of them was found to still be nursing a gunshot injury. The suspects have since confessed to the crime,” he added.