By Patrick Idowu
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin and five members of his gang during operations in Doma and Awe Local Government Areas.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lafia, noting that the arrests were part of the command’s sustained onslaught against criminals in the state.
According to him, operatives attached to the Doma Division apprehended the suspected kingpin in his forest hideout. The suspect, from Yelwa village, had been on the command’s wanted list for multiple kidnappings and robberies across Doma LGA.
“The suspect narrowly escaped arrest in July 2023 when some of his gang members were captured. During a clearance operation at Doka forest, he attempted to stab officers with a knife but was overpowered. He later led detectives to their hideout in Alagye village, Doma, where dangerous exhibits were recovered,” Nansel stated.
Items recovered include one pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551), a locally made AK-47 rifle with magazine, two live rounds of ammunition, five cartridges, a knife, a rope, two Tecno phones, and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniform.
In a separate operation, officers from the Awe Division, acting on intelligence, arrested five members of a 10-man syndicate at Gidan Taking village. Investigations revealed that the group was behind the abduction of Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta village, as well as the April 2024 kidnapping of her husband, John Ada-Kuje, for whom ransom was collected. Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live round of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, commended the officers for their professionalism and urged them to maintain the pressure until the state is rid of kidnappers and armed robbers.
Nansel confirmed that all arrested suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution.
