By OBOH LINUS

Nasarawa State Police Command says it has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers and rescued 7 victims in the state.

The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Mohammed, stated this while briefing newsmen on some of the achievements of the Command on Friday in Lafia.

Mohammed said that the command recorded the feat during different operations across the state between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11.

He explained that in one of the rescue operations, operatives of the command neutralised a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle in Awe Local Government Area of the state.

According to the commissioner, on the Jan. 2, police operatives attached to Nassarawa Eggon Division, based on credible intelligence, intercepted and arrested two suspected kidnapper on a motorcycle.

He said that the suspect attempted to bribe the operative with the sum of N200, 000, which was rejected and recovered as exhibit.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped a person at Arusu village of Kokona LGA, where the police engaged them and rescued the victim, but the suspects escaped with bullet wounds.

“Upon their arrest, one of them was found to still be nursing a gunshot injury, and the suspects have since confessed to the crime,” he said.

Also, the CP said that on Jan. 7, police operatives attached to Assakio Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, stormed kidnappers’ hideouts in Angara and Fadaman Bauna villages of Lafia LGA and arrested Six suspected kidnappers and rescued 3 victims.

He said that the operation followed a complaint lodged by the community that suspected kidnappers invaded Angara village and abducted two females and a male, leaving behind an infant.

The commissioner explained that within the period, operatives of the Command also rescued four abducted children in a discreet and intelligence- led operation in New Nyanya, Karu LGA, following the mysterious disappearance of children under suspicious circumstances.

Mohammed also said that police operative attached to the Awe Division, in collaboration with local hunters, rescued a victim tied to a tree in a forest at the Sabon Gida-Abuni area of Awe LGA.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, but the operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation

of one of the suspects and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and two rounds of ammunition.

The commissioner listed the items recovered as exhibits from the various operations to include, five firearms, two magazines and two ammunitions, a motorcycle and N200,000 cash.

“These achievements are a testament to the purposeful instrumentality of community policing, inter- agency collaboration, and proactive policing.

“I urged members of the public not to relent in their support,” Mohammed said.

The commissioner said that the command remained resolute in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and would continue to intensify efforts to ensure lasting peace and security in Nasarawa State. (NAN)