By SUNDAY JOHN

The Nasarawa State Police Command says that four men are currently in its custody for allegedly planning to abduct and kill a Lafia resident, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, after collecting ransom from him.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lafia and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

Nansel described the arrest of the suspects as a significant operational breakthrough in the command’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

“Following credible intelligence received by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), concerning criminal conspiracy and an attempt to commit an abduction, the command commenced discreet investigations into the planned operation.

“The investigation led to the arrest of four suspects all male and residents of Adudu District, Obi Local Government Area of the state,” Nansel stated.

He explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly planned to abduct Abdullahi, but the plan was uncovered before it could be executed.

He stated that consequently, operatives of the SID arrested two of the suspects on 19 September 19, while the third was arrested on September 22, and the fourth September 23.

According to him, during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the planned abduction, but denied planning to kill the victim after collecting ransom.

He added that the suspects had since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, for further investigation and prosecution.

In a related development, Nansel disclosed that the command, at about 6pm on September 24, received a distress call concerning the discovery of an unidentified man lying in a pool of his own blood behind the Eji-World area of Ombi One, Lafia.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Ombi 1 Division, Lafia, personally led a team to the scene, and discovered a man, aged 26, identified as an indigene of Benue, lying in a pool of his own blood,” he stated.

He explained that the man was immediately evacuated to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

Nansel added that preliminary investigation revealed that the man’s suspected killers had allegedly gone in search of his friend, Joseph Oluyemi, male, of Maisoti Street, Lafia, who later reported to the Police that he had earlier received threats from suspected cult members.

He disclosed that the police had arrested two suspects in connection with the murder, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the incident.

“The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, for autopsy,” Nansel added.

He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, had directed that investigations be conducted diligently and professionally, with all persons found culpable brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The statement urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities in their areas to the Police for prompt response. (NAN)