Nigeria Police Rescue 7 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 10 Suspects

When masked kidnappers took 43-year-old Shuaibu Umoru from his home in Giza town, police and local hunters launched an immediate manhunt that would end with seven people freed and their captors behind bars.

The Nasarawa State Police Command teamed up with community hunters in mid-January to track down a kidnapping gang that had been terrorizing residents across Awe Local Government Area. The joint operation led to a gunfight that resulted in one suspect's death and nine others arrested.

Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed shared the breakthrough with journalists on Friday in Lafia, the state capital. The rescued victims included four children who had been abducted from their families, now safely returned home.

Two of the arrested suspects, 29-year-old Musa Ahmed and 28-year-old Adamu Yusuf, tried to bribe officers with 200,000 naira (about $130 USD). The officers refused and seized the cash as evidence, demonstrating the integrity that made this operation successful.

The investigation revealed the gang had kidnapped someone in Arusu village weeks earlier. During that rescue attempt, police engaged the masked criminals in a shootout, saving the victim though some suspects escaped with gunshot wounds.

On January 2, officers on routine patrol along Nasarawa-Eggon road intercepted two suspects on a motorcycle based on intelligence reports. That arrest helped connect the dots to multiple kidnapping cases across the region.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue represents more than just numbers. Seven families welcomed loved ones home, and four children returned to their parents after what must have been terrifying ordeals. The collaboration between police and local hunters shows how community partnerships can protect vulnerable residents.

Police recovered firearms, ammunition, magazines, one motorcycle, and the attempted bribe money. The arrests also nabbed two armed robbery suspects connected to other crimes in the state, making Nasarawa safer for everyone.

Commissioner Jauro-Mohammed credited intelligence-led policing and community cooperation for the success. When residents share information and law enforcement acts swiftly, criminals lose the shadows they hide in.

The operation sends a clear message to anyone considering similar crimes: communities in Nasarawa State are watching, and they're working together to keep each other safe.