The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of dangerous weapons alongside millions of naira in cash following a lone accident in Kokona Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, in a statement on Monday, said the incident occurred on August 18, 2025, at about 9:08 a.m. near the VIO checkpoint at Angwan Mayo.
According to him, two occupants of an Opel Vectra with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST fled into the bush immediately after the crash, abandoning the vehicle.
“On arrival at the scene, operatives discovered that members of the public had gathered, and a vigilant VIO officer had already recovered a G3 rifle and cash hidden inside the vehicle,” Nansel stated.
A subsequent search of the car led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and a cash sum of ₦6.9 million.
Following the discovery, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects. One of them, later identified as Mohammed Tahir of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested after attempting to escape through the forest.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, for which ransom had been collected. He further admitted that he and an accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds when the crash occurred.
SP Nansel said the suspect and all recovered exhibits had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, for further investigation.
The Commissioner assured residents that the police remain committed to flushing out criminal elements from the state. He also commended the public for their vigilance and urged continued collaboration with security agencies.
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