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 after a lone accident involving an Opel Vectra in Kokona Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, in a statement on Monday, said the incident occurred on 18th August 2025 at about 9:08 a.m. near the VIO checkpoint, Angwan Mayo.
According to Nansel, two occupants of the vehicle with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST fled into the bush immediately after the crash, abandoning the car.
“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,” the statement read.
A subsequent search of the car led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle as well as three magazines and 57 rounds of live ammunition and a cash sum of N6.9 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 was collected.
He also admitted that he and an accomplice were heading to Jos to share the proceeds when the crash occurred.
Nansel said the suspect and all recovered exhibits have 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 CP assured residents that the police remain committed to flushing out criminal elements from the state and commended the public for their vigilance, urging them to continue partnering with security agencies.
Police arrest kidnap suspect in Nasarawa, recover arms, N6.9m cash
