By SUNDAY JOHN

The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has detained for prosecution an alleged notorious kidnap kingpin in his hideout in a forest in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The command?s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lafia.

The PPRO said that the notorious and dreaded armed robber and kidnapper was apprehended by personnel attached to the Doma Police Division.

Nansel noted that the operation was part of the relentless onslaught by the command against criminals in the state.

He further said that the suspect, who hails from Yelwa village in the area, was responsible for multiple kidnappings and robberies across Doma LGA and its environs.

?The suspect narrowly escaped arrest last in July, 2023 when his gang members were apprehended.

?During a clearance operation at Doka forest, eagle-eyed operatives spotted him.

?In a desperate bid to evade capture, he pulled a knife to attack the officers but was swiftly overpowered and arrested.

?Upon interrogation, the suspect led detectives to their hideout at Alagye village, Doma, where dangerous exhibits were recovered,? he said.

He listed the items recovered to include: one pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551), one locally made AK-47 rifle with magazine, and two live ammunition and five cartridges.

Others were, one knife and a rope, two Tecno handsets, and a pair of Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps uniform.

Nansel also said that the personnel attached to the Awe Police Division, acting on intelligence, also arrested five suspected members of a 10-man kidnapping syndicate at Gidan Taking village in the area.

?Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate masterminded the kidnapping of Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta village in Awe LGA.

?Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live ammunition were recovered from them.

The PPRO further said that the police uncovered that the same group abducted John Ada-Kuje, husband of Blessing John, in April 2024 and collected ransom before releasing him.

The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police (CP), Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, as commending the gallant officers for their courage and professionalism.

He added that the CP had charged them to sustain the pressure on criminals until the state was completely rid of kidnappers and armed robbers.

Nansel further stated that the arrested suspects had been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution. (NAN)

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