A suspected kidnapper has been arrested in a joint operation by the Nigerian Police and the Military after a lone crash around Anguwan Mayo, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, in a statement on Monday also confirmed the recovery of rifles, ammunition, and ₦6.9m cash from the accident scene.
According to the statement, the police in collaboration with the Military arrested the suspect, Mohammed Tahir, following a distress call regarding the lone accident.
“Two occupants of an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
“Upon arrival, operatives discovered that members of the public had already gathered, while a vigilant VIO officer handed over a G3 rifle and cash earlier recovered from the accident vehicle,” Nansel, revealed.
“The accident vehicle was immediately towed to the police station where a thorough search was conducted and led to the recovery of the following exhibits: One (1) AK-47 rifle, One (1) Type 06 rifle, One (1) G3 rifle, Three Magazines and Fifty-Seven (57) rounds of live ammunition and cash totaling ₦6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira only).
“Reacting swiftly, the Police, in collaboration with the Military, launched an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects. One of them, later identified as Mohammed Tahir, male, of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested after escaping into the forest.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnap gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja (FCT), from whom ransom was collected. He further admitted that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before the accident occurred. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects at large.
“The suspect and recovered exhibits have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, psc, mnips, for further investigation.
“The Nasarawa State Police Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to working with sister security agencies to rid the state and its environs of crime and criminality. He also applauded members of the public for the vigilance and urged them to keep supporting the police and other security agencies in the state,,” the statement reads further.
