Checkmating Infiltration of Kidnappers into Nasarawa 

Igbawase Ukumba writes that Governor Abdullahi Sule is working in partnership with security agencies in Nasararwa State to checkmate infiltration of kidnappers into the state.

The security challenges which has continued to threaten the peace and stability of Nasarawa State has deteriorated shortly after the 2023 general election. This was felt with the kidnap of a former deputy governor of the state, Prof. Onje Gye-Wado, on April 6, 2023.

Gye-Wado was kidnapped in the night at his Rinza village, near Wamba, the headquarters of Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Gye-Wado served as deputy governor during the administration of the current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, between 1999 – 2003.

However, the kidnapped ex-Deputy Governor Onje Gye-Wado was freed by his abductors after allegedly collecting about N4 million ransom. THISDAY gathered that the former deputy governor’s kidnappers placed a ransom of N70 million, but the family bargained from N2 to N3.5 million, and finally they had to top it close to N4 million before he was released.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed release of the ex-Deputy Governor by his abductors. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed Gye-Wado’s release, however, said the Police was not aware of any ransom paid before his release.

Within the week, suspected kidnappers also abducted Daniel Ogoshi, one of the incumbent deputy governor of Nasararwa State, Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe’s driver. The deputy governor’s driver was said to have been kidnapped from the residence of one of his friends at about 9:30pm at Ombi 2, College of Agriculture, in the heart of Lafia, leaving his phone and car behind.

According to a family friend who confirmed the incident in the state Capital, described the abduction of the driver as unfortunate, one too many stating that he received a call around 9.35 pm that his brother had been kidnapped.

According to a family friend to the driver, he immediately alerted the police who were immediately mobilized to the scene of the incident, but discovered the kidnappers had fled with the victim.

Be that as it may, a Police joint operation in collaboration with military personnel and vigilante on October 4, 2023 at Alogani/Eggon Hill rescued four kidnapped victims, and arrested six suspected kidnappers namely: Haruna Ibrahim, Umar Ibrahim, Yakubu Haruna, Rabiu Adamu, Adamu Mallam Musa and Abdulkadir Ibrahim.

The Nasarawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this when parading 24 suspects on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, in Lafia. He added that two other suspects arrested during the operation and one AK 47 rifle that was recovered were in the custody of the military.

DSP Nansel said: “On 4/04/2023 at about 2000hrs, a complaint was lodged at Mada Station Division that, some hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Popsy Oil and Gas Fueling Station and kidnapped two pump attendants at Mada Station, Nasarawa Eggon LGA. Consequently, one Muhammed Husseini ‘M’ of Shinge, Lafia was arrested in connection to the crime.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that his syndicate was hired by one Abubakar Ori ‘M’ of Mada station to carry out the act and led the operatives to Mada Station where the said Abubakar Ori was arrested at his Kiosk located adjacent Popsy Oil and Gas Station at Mada Station where he sells provisions.”

Similarly, acting based on actionable intelligence, the PPRO said one Dahiru Sani of Doma LGA was arrested by the command for hiring a five-man kidnapping syndicate to kidnap one Alhaji Asharuwa (his brother in-law) where they demanded for N5 million ransom. He continued that upon his arrest, the victim was released unhurt and has been reunited with his family.

“Also, based on a tip off, operatives of the Command’s Anti-kidnapping Unit arrested a kidnap kingpin named Shuaibu Mohammed (AKA Chiyawa) ‘M’ of Kadarko, Giza Development Area. The suspect who investigation has shown to be the gang leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing Dadere, Mararaba Akunza, Lafia, Agyaragu, Kadarko and environs has been on the wanted list of the Command for various cases of kidnapping and has been evading arrest before nemesis caught up with him,” Nansel revealed.

Nevertheless, while acting based on a tip-off again, Police operatives attached to Awe Division intercepted the duo of Usman Bello (35yrs) of Kanje Village, Awe LGA and Muhammed Nura (22yrs) of Lafia along Awe-Kekura road, Awe LGA where one AK 47 rifle and one magazine were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.

The command’s spokesperson maintained that the suspects have confessed to be members of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate operating in Bali in Taraba State, but relocated to Awe LGA of Nasarawa state after security agents neutralized five of their members, to continue with their kidnapping venture before nemesis caught up with them.

“Acting based on credible intelligence, one Adamu Gagare Sule (25yrs) and Umar Idris (20yrs) who have been on the wanted list of the Command for offences of kidnapping were arrested at Kiguna Village, Lafia East Development area by operatives of the Command.

“Upon Interrogation, the suspects confessed to have kidnapped four people and took them to a forest reserve in Qua’anpan LGA of Plateau State and came to town to buy food for the victims. But, luck however ran out of them,” the command’s image maker narrated.

DSP Nansel concluded that the suspects admitted to have engaged in various acts of kidnapping and armed robbery at Lafia East, Awe LGA and Jenkwe Development Area of Obi LGA.

In a bid to assist the security agencies perform their constitutional responsibility in Nasararwa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule recently procured and distributed donated ten brand new Hilux vehicles and ten motorcycles to them .

Concomitant to this, the governor had in the past procured and distributed about 27 vehicles and 121 motorcycles to the security agencies to enhance their operations and ensure sustainable peace and stability in Nasarawa State.

Speaking when distributing the vehicles and motorcycles in Lafia, Governor Sule said the donation was aimed once again at assisting the security agencies in their ardous task of crime prevention and control in the society.

“We must continue to work in partnership to checkmate the infiltration of criminals as a result of our proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and from other states. It is in furtherance of this commitment that we are today gathered to witness the distribution of additional ten brand new hilux vehicles and ten motorcycles to our security agencies,” he said.

The governor, therefore, appreciated the continuous sacrifice, commitment and dedication of the security agencies in surmounting the security challenges which has continued to threaten the peace and stability of the state.