The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued four kidnapped victims and launched a manhunt for suspected kidnappers following a tactical operation by operatives of the Andaha Division in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Rahman Nansel, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lafia on Wednesday, saying the operation followed a distress call received on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at about 9:40 p.m. over the activities of suspected kidnappers around Megona Filling Station, Andaha, along the Akwanga–Jos Road.

According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised a team of operatives to the area, where they engaged the suspects in a gun duel after the criminals opened fire on sighting the police.

“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene. On sighting the police, the armed hoodlums opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun duel,” the statement read.

Nansel said the police responded with superior tactical firepower, forcing the suspects to abandon their victims and escape into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of injuries.

He added that the four victims were rescued unhurt, while some provisions suspected to have been stolen from a nearby shop were recovered and taken into police custody.

The Police Public Relations Officer said the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, commended the operatives for their swift response and described the rescue as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Nansel said the commissioner had ordered an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects, directing the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to ensure their arrest and prosecution.

“The ongoing operation is being conducted in collaboration with the military, local vigilante groups and hunters, with sustained bush-combing operations currently underway to apprehend the criminals,” he added.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts against criminal activities across the state. (Vanguard)