Kidnapper Crashes with ₦6.9m Loot, Rifles in Nasarawa
By John Okezie
A lone motor accident has exposed a notorious kidnap syndicate in Nasarawa State, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of rifles, ammunition, and ₦6.9 million cash.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident on Monday.
He said the incident occurred on August 18, 2025, at about 9:08 am, when operatives attached to Garaku Division received a distress call from Angwan Mayo community about a crash near the VIO checkpoint involving an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST.
“Two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene immediately after the accident. On arrival, police 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 said.
He disclosed that the vehicle was towed to the police station, where a search uncovered one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and cash totaling ₦6,908,150.
Reacting swiftly, the police in collaboration with the military launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects. One of them, identified as Mohammed Tahir 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, 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,” the PPRO stated.
According to him, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for further investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed.
Nansel quoted the Commissioner as commending members of the public for their vigilance and assuring residents of the Command’s determination to stamp out crime in the state.
“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 added.
