Police Arrest 29 Suspects For Kidnapping, Cultism, Gang Rape In Nasarawa

Lafia, Nasarawa State – The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 29 suspects in various heinous crimes, including kidnapping, cultism, and alleged rape, across different locations within the state.

The suspects were paraded before the public on Friday, September 29, 2023, in Lafia, the state capital, as the authorities unveiled the results of their diligent efforts to combat criminality in the region.

According to DSP Ramhan Nansel, the spokesperson of the Nasarawa State Police Command, two of the suspects were arrested in connection with a particularly disturbing case. They stand accused of the reprehensible act of raping an 8-year-old girl in an abandoned building within the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

“On 05/09/2023 at about 3 pm, a complaint was lodged at Akwanga Division that, the duo of Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhtari Abdullahi conspired and lured an 8years old girl into an uncompleted building where they took turns to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her,” the PPRO stated.

“Reacting to the unsavoury development, Police operatives immediately launched a manhunt for the suspects and got them arrested. They have confessed to the commission of the crime.”

Nansel further said two other suspects were arrested for raping a 16-year-old girl in Mararaba and a 10-year-old girl in Doma Local Government Area of the state.

“On 24/08/2023 at about 1230hrs, a complaint was lodged at Mararaba ‘B’ Division that one Zakari Abdullahi ‘M’ of Behind City Rock, Mararaba lured a 16yrs old girl into a guest house, had unlawful carnal knowledge of her and dispossessed her of one Nokia phone and the sum of thirty-seven thousand Naira (#37,000) which she was sent with to pay for her medication,” the PPRO stated. The Police went after the suspect and got him arrested; he confessed to the commission of the crime and blamed the devil as the cause,” the PPRO stated.

“Also, on 29/08/2023 at about 1145hrs, a complaint was lodged at Doma Division by a 10yrs victim of rape that on 24/08/2023 at 2000hrs while she was hawking sachet water at old Market, Doma LGA, one Bello Saleh of same address accosted her and dragged her into a nearby Primary School Classroom and raped her

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the suspect was trailed and arrested by the Police where he later confessed to the commission of the crime. The suspects shall be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The PPRO stated that the police also arrested suspected kidnappers, operating along Nassarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, and Kokona LGAs of the state.

“In continuation of the onslaught against all criminals in the State, on 31/08/2023 operatives of the Command trailed and arrested three (3) men of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for series of kidnapping in Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Kokona LGA namely: Ogani Dauda 25yrs, Hamisu Ibrahim 28yrs and Ishaku Alhaji Ruwa 28 yrs.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to be into kidnapping and armed robbery and were said to have kidnapped their victims at Wulko Village, Nasarawa Eggon, behind Kini Country Guest Inn/Akwanga-Wamba bye-pass

“The suspects further confessed to being responsible for some armed robbery operations along the Nasarawa Eggon-Akwanga highway where they blocked the road and dispossessed unsuspecting road users of their belongings

“Also, on 04/09/2023, Police personnel of the Command acted based .on credible information and arrested one Abdulraham Abubakar ‘M’ 28yrs at Gudi, Akwanga LGA

“He confessed to being a member of the five-man syndicate of kidnappers operating at Gudi and Garaku axis and had been on the wanted list of the Command for the offence of kidnapping

“The suspect has confessed to the crime and is assisting the Police in its effort to apprehend other members of the gang.”

Similarly, on 02/09/2023 at about 0340hrs, Police operatives attached to Garaku Division while on surveillance Patrol received a distress call that the residence of one Alhaji Guda Dari was invaded by suspected kidnappers.

“Reacting to the information, Police operative, in collaboration with vigilant, moved to the scene and arrested four suspects namely: Ibrahim Abdullahi, Julli Yelli 20yrs, Inusa Tambaya 20yrs and Mohammed Sa’adu Ibrahim 20yrs.

“The suspects confessed to having invaded the residence and took away his Ram in order to roast it before heading out for their usual kidnapping operation when nemesis caught up with them,”

In the same vein, on 13/09/2023 one Yahaya Usman ‘M’ of Angwan Auta, Wamba was arrested by Police personnel attached to Wamba Division for the Kidnapping of a man at Lenge village, Nasarawa Eggon LGA in January 2023.

The suspect was sighted by the victim at Mama Market, Wamba, and consequently, the attention of the Police operatives was called upon, hence, the arrest. He has confessed to the crime.

“On 25/09/2023 at about 2220hrs, a complaint was lodged at Mararaba ‘B’ Division by a Bolt driver that his Toyota Corolla, 2007 model, Gold in colour with Registration number Abuja KWL 791 CF was snatched at gunpoint by passengers who boarded his vehicle from Nyanya, Abuja to Abacha road, Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, Police detectives attached to Mararaba ‘B’ Division launched an immediate manhunt for the criminals and the duo of Chidi Obasi ‘M’ 40yrs of High level, Markurdi and Abel Izang ‘M’ 27yrs of Tudun Wada area, Mararaba were arrested at Royal Estate, Mararaba,”

One locally fabricated Pistol, two (2) rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and the stolen vehicle were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.

On 25/09/2023 at about 1200hrs acting based on credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to Nasarawa Division in collaboration with Vigilante carried out a sting operation at a notorious cultist hideout located at Tammah, Nasarawa LGA where one Ahmadu Joseph ‘M’ a graduate of Benue State University Makurdi, Ifeanyi Aniogbe ‘M’ an ND one student of Library Science Department, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, John Shuaibu ‘M’ a Student of Urban and Regional Planning, of same Polytechnic and James Uyona, a HND one student of the Department of Marketing, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa were arrested.

One locally fabricated pistol, three live cartridges, two black berets with inscription of Neo Black Movement Confraternity, one Black Axe, a sword, one Machete, a mask and other occultic items were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.

DSP Nansel further aids that all the above suspects and others shall be charged to court for prosecution upon conclusion of the investigation.

He noted that the fight against crime and criminality in Nasarawa State is a continuous one.

“I hereby warn criminals in the State, to turn a leaf and leave the State or face decisive defeat,” he added.