Police save kidnap victim, nab 11 suspected robbers in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has announced a major success after rescuing a kidnapped victim and arresting 11 suspected armed robbers in different operations in the state.

This was shared in a press release to journalists in Lafia, the state capital, on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel.

He stated that a woman named Favour Innocent from Ajyga Village was kidnapped from her home on August 3, 2026, around 9 PM. She was rescued on August 4, 2026, at about 8 AM in the Nunku Forest Area of Akwanga Local Government Area. This was achieved through teamwork among the police, local hunters, and community youths.

SP Nansel said after her rescue, the police took Favour to the Primary Health Centre in Andaha for medical care. She received treatment and was discharged in good health. He added that she has since returned to her family and investigations are ongoing to catch the suspects who escaped.

In another incident, SP Nansel explained that on September 4, 2026, at around 2 AM, the police received information about an armed robbery at a guest house in Area One, Masaka. The robbers stole valuables, including mobile phones and cash.

The Commissioner of Police quickly ordered a patrol team to the scene. The suspects fled when they saw the police van. Officers chased them to their hideout and arrested nine adults and two minors.

The arrested adults include Auwal Yunusa, 20; Saltsu Kabiru, 20; Umar Saleh, 22; Abubakar Hassan, 26; Musa Yahaya, 20; Seth Aaron, 20; Victor Hyelanpali, 19; Gift Ezra, 20; and Suleiman Abdullahi, 18. The minors are James Ayuba, 16, and Fahad Abubakar, 15.

Police recovered several items from the suspects. These include one locally made revolver, four cutlasses, one fabricated cutlass, two knives, two bed sheets, eight SIM cards, three head warmer caps, two scissors, fake foreign currencies, and original documents belonging to a man named Kabiru Abubakar.

SP Nansel mentioned that the police are working hard to catch other suspects who escaped and recover the remaining stolen property.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, instructed the DPO of Masaka Division to find the parents of the two minors or bring them to the Juvenile Court as required by law.

He said, "He also directed the immediate transfer of the adult suspects to the SCID in Lafia for further investigation and prosecution."

CP Shetima praised the police, local hunters, and community youths for their support, especially in the successful rescue of the kidnapped victim. He assured the public that the police will keep working on intelligence-led operations and community partnerships to fight crime in the state.

The police spokesperson also encouraged the public to keep sharing timely and reliable information to help prevent crime, rescue victims, and catch criminals.