The Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State has arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered firearms during a security operation in Keana Local Government Area.
Police authorities said the arrest followed a raid on a criminal hideout in Gidan Akuya village carried out by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID) after receiving credible intelligence.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
According to the police, suspects at the hideout attempted to flee when they spotted the approaching officers. However, security operatives gave chase and successfully apprehended one of them, identified as 43-year-old Jibril Yunusa.
A search of the location led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a locally fabricated firearm, the police said.
Nansel added that Yunusa reportedly confessed during interrogation to being involved in several kidnapping operations in the Keana and Awe areas. The suspect is also said to have provided information that may assist investigators in tracking down other members of the gang.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed officers to intensify efforts to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the raid.
He also commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities and protecting lives and property across the state.
