Police Smash Kidnap Ring, Rescue Victims in Nasarawa Raid

A high-stakes tactical operation by police operatives in Nasarawa State has culminated in the dismantling of a notorious kidnapping syndicate and the safe rescue of three hostages. The mission, carried out by officers from the Assakio Division in partnership with local vigilante groups, targeted deep-forest hideouts in the Lafia East Development Area. The joint force successfully stormed criminal dens located in the Angara and Fadaman Bauna villages, bringing a swift end to a week of terror for the local community.

The breakthrough follows a harrowing incident on January 7, 2026, when armed gunmen reportedly invaded Angara village under the cover of darkness. During the raid, the criminals abducted two women, heartlessly leaving behind an infant, before snatching an additional male victim from the same vicinity. The brazen nature of the attack prompted an immediate outcry from residents, who feared a prolonged hostage situation given the rugged terrain the kidnappers typically inhabit.

Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the success of the rescue mission in a statement released on Friday. He revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, had personally overseen the strategy, ordering an aggressive manhunt the moment the complaint was lodged. The tactical response was designed to catch the kidnappers off guard before they could move their captives across state lines.

During the coordinated assault on the hideouts, security forces managed to apprehend six suspects linked to the abductions. According to the police spokesperson, the arrested individuals have already provided confessional statements admitting to their roles in the crime. The speed of the arrests has been hailed by local leaders as a testament to the growing effectiveness of intelligence-sharing between formal law enforcement and grassroots vigilante units.

The three rescued victims—two females and one male—were found unhurt despite the psychological trauma of their ordeal. Following their liberation, they were transported to a medical facility for urgent evaluation and treatment. Once cleared by healthcare professionals, the survivors were reunited with their emotional families in Angara village, a moment that brought a sense of relief to a community that had been on edge for days.

The six suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department on the specific orders of the Commissioner of Police. Authorities intend to conduct an exhaustive investigation to determine if the gang is connected to other unsolved kidnapping cases within the Lafia axis. The goal is to build a watertight case that ensures successful prosecution and serves as a deterrent to other criminal elements operating in the region.

CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed has used the success of this operation to reiterate the command’s unwavering commitment to public safety. He reassured the citizens of Nasarawa that the offensive against kidnapping and banditry would be sustained and intensified. The Commissioner emphasized that the police force would continue to leverage community-based security architectures, recognizing that local knowledge is often the key to locating hidden criminal camps.

This successful raid marks another significant victory in the ongoing battle to secure Nasarawa’s rural communities. Residents are being encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious movements within their neighborhoods to the nearest police station. The synergy between the police and the local vigilantes in this instance serves as a blueprint for future operations, demonstrating that a united front is the most effective weapon against the scourge of kidnapping.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has pledged to maintain a high level of visibility in the Lafia East area to prevent any retaliatory actions or a vacuum that other gangs might seek to fill. For now, the successful return of the Angara three remains a beacon of hope for a region striving for lasting peace and security.