Nasarawa Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims, Arrest 35 Suspects In Anti-Crime Operations

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it has made major progress in its fight against crime, rescuing seven kidnapped victims, arresting 35 suspects, and recovering 13 firearms in different operations carried out across the state since January 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing the Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police for the North-Central zone, Isyaku Mohammed, during an inspection visit to the command headquarters in Lafia.

He described the visit as timely and strategic, saying it provided an opportunity to review the security situation in the state and improve policing strategies.

The commissioner explained that Nasarawa’s location, sharing borders with the FCT Abuja and several other states, contributes to its unique security challenges.

According to him, kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, communal clashes, illegal possession of firearms, and cross-border crimes remain major threats in the state.

He noted that kidnapping incidents along the “Santa Highway” and in rural communities have reduced due to sustained security operations and improved intelligence gathering.

He said, “Through intelligence-led policing, community engagement, enhanced surveillance and coordinated tactical operations, the Command has reviewed and strengthened its crime-fighting strategies to effectively combat criminal activities across the state.”

Mohammed added that the Command has stepped up operations in ten identified flashpoints based on crime mapping and threat analysis.

These include the Gudi axis, Lafia-Akwanga road, Akwanga-Jos road, Doma-Rukubi route, Lafia-Makurdi highway, Inde Hills in Nasarawa Eggon, Garaku-Keffi corridor, Akwanga Forest axis, and other vulnerable communities.

He further stated that tactical units, mobile police teams, and checkpoints have been deployed to these areas to strengthen security presence and restrict criminal movements.

He also said highway patrol teams now operate round the clock on major roads including the Abuja-Keffi highway and other strategic routes.

The police command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations and strengthening collaboration with communities to ensure lasting peace and security across Nasarawa State.