Nasarawa police rescue seven kidnap victims, arrest 35 suspects in anti-crime operations

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against crime, arresting 35 suspects, rescuing seven kidnapped victims, and recovering 13 firearms in various operations conducted across the state since January 2026.

Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing the Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police for the North-Central Geo-Political Zone, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, during an inspection visit to the Command Headquarters in Lafia.

The police commissioner described the DIG’s visit as both timely and strategic, noting that it offered an opportunity to review the state’s security architecture and receive guidance aimed at strengthening policing and service delivery.


Mohammed explained that Nasarawa’s geographical location presents unique security concerns due to its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and its shared boundaries with Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue and Taraba states.

According to him, the state’s vast forests, difficult terrain and extensive road network, while beneficial to economic activities, also provide opportunities for criminal elements to operate.

He identified kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, communal conflicts, illegal firearms possession and cross-border criminal activities as some of the major security challenges confronting the state.

The commissioner noted that incidents of kidnapping, particularly along the notorious “Santa Highway” and in isolated rural communities, have reduced considerably as a result of sustained security operations and improved intelligence gathering.

“Through intelligence-led policing, community engagement, enhanced surveillance and coordinated tactical operations, the Command has reviewed and strengthened its crime-fighting strategies to effectively combat criminal activities across the state,” he said.

Mohammed revealed that the Command has intensified security operations in ten identified flashpoints based on crime mapping and threat assessments.

The affected areas include the Gudi axis and surrounding communities, Lafia-Akwanga and Akwanga-Jos road corridors, Doma-Rukubi route, Lafia-Makurdi highway, Inde Hills in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Garaku-Keffi corridor in Kokona LGA, Akwanga Forest axis spanning Obi and Keana LGAs, as well as Ajimaka, Gidanrai, Ambaka and Konfu-Gwaiaka communities.

He stated that the locations continue to receive heightened security attention because of their strategic importance and vulnerability to criminal activities.

To strengthen security presence in the affected areas, the Command has deployed both conventional and tactical policing assets, including stop-and-search checkpoints, mobile police units and special operational teams.

The commissioner further disclosed that tactical formations have been stationed at key locations such as Inde Hills, Akwanga Forest, Garaku-Keffi Road and other identified hotspots to deny criminal elements freedom of operation.

In addition, he said Safer Highway Patrol teams now maintain round-the-clock surveillance on major roads including Doma Road, Makurdi Road, Shendam Road, Akwanga-Jos Road, Gudi-Keffi Road and the Keffi-Abuja highway.

According to him, the patrols are supported by intelligence gathering mechanisms and rapid response units designed to swiftly respond to security threats and emergencies.

Mohammed reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive crime-fighting measures and strengthening partnerships with communities to ensure the protection of lives and property across Nasarawa State.