By AWAYI KUJE

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it has in its custody, 12 suspected kidnappers and 29 others for various offences committed in January.

CP Shetima Mohammed-Jauro, the Commissioner of Police in the state made this known at a news conference on the achievements of the command on Friday in Lafia.

He said that some of the arrests were made based on the tips they received from the public.

The CP cited a case in Akwanga, amongst others, where three suspected kidnappers were apprehended and their victim was rescued unhurt.

“On Jan.18, the police received information that one Billy Maikasuwa from Moroa Village, Akwanga LGA, had been kidnapped and taken to an unknown location.

“In response, police operatives from the Gudi Division launched a manhunt for the criminals.

“The suspects were traced to a forest in Angwan Sao Village, Moroa, Akwanga, where the victim was rescued unharmed.

“Two other suspects, Ibrahim Samaila, 20, and Abdullahi Ilu, 19, were arrested, while others escaped.

“A follow up investigation led to the arrest of Emmanuel Michael, 28, in connection with the crime,” he said.

According to him, all suspects have confessed to the crime.

The Commissioner of Police also disclosed that the command arrested 29 others suspects for various offences within the period under review.

“We arrested eight suspects for homicide, six for armed robbery, 12 for cultism, two for rape, and one for drugs peddling,” he said.

He listed items recovered as exhibits to include two firearms, nine motorcycles and two rounds of live ammunition.

Mohammed-Jauro, said that the command also arrested five member of an illegal group under the name Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who allegedly tortured a 20-year-old man to death on allegation of theft and dumped the remains in Laminga Village, Nasarawa Local Government Area.

“A follow up investigation led to the arrest of one Biliyaminu Isa, Mathias A Yamusa, Abdullaheizeez Nura, Umar Musa and Imran Hussain, all males of Keffi.

“They claimed the victim was caught stealing and was lynched, he later died in their custody and they dumped his remains at Laminga, to cover up their tracks,” he added.

The CP assured the public that the Police Command was committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

“We will continue to uphold the law and pursue justice for all victims,” he said. (NAN)