Nasarawa Police Rescue Seven Kidnapped Victims and Arrest 35 Suspects in Anti-Crime Operation

The Nasarawa State Police Command announced that it has made significant progress in its anti‑crime campaign, having arrested 35 suspects, rescued seven kidnapped victims, and recovered 13 firearms in operations carried out across the state since January 2026.

Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed shared these results while briefing Coordinating Deputy Inspector‑General of Police for the North‑Central Geo‑Political Zone, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, during an inspection visit to the Command Headquarters in Lafia.

Mohammed described the DIG’s visit as both timely and strategic, noting that it provided an opportunity to review the state’s security architecture and to receive guidance aimed at strengthening policing and service delivery.

He explained that Nasarawa’s geography creates unique security challenges because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and its borders with Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue and Taraba states. The state’s extensive forests, difficult terrain and road network, while beneficial for economic activities, also offer opportunities for criminal elements to operate.

Key security threats identified include kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, communal conflicts, illegal firearms possession and cross‑border criminal activities.

The commissioner noted that incidents of kidnapping—particularly along the notorious “Santa Highway” and in isolated rural communities—have declined significantly as a result of sustained security operations and improved intelligence gathering.

“Through intelligence‑led policing, community engagement, enhanced surveillance and coordinated tactical operations, the Command has reviewed and strengthened its crime‑fighting strategies to effectively combat criminal activities across the state,” he said.

Mohammed revealed that the Command has intensified security operations in ten identified flashpoints based on crime mapping and threat assessments. The affected areas include the Gudi axis and surrounding communities, the Lafia‑Akwanga and Akwanga‑Jos road corridors, the Doma‑Rukubi route, the Lafia‑Makurdi highway, Inde Hills in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, the Garaku‑Keffi corridor in Kokona LGA, the Akwanga Forest axis spanning Obi and Keana LGAs, and the communities of Ajimaka, Gidanrai, Ambaka and Konfu‑Gwaiaka.

He stated that these locations continue to receive heightened security attention because of their strategic importance and vulnerability to criminal activities.

To strengthen security presence, the Command has deployed both conventional and tactical policing assets, including stop‑and‑search checkpoints, mobile police units and special operational teams. Tactical formations have been stationed at key locations such as Inde Hills, Akwanga Forest, Garaku‑Keffi Road and other identified hotspots to deny criminal elements freedom of operation.

Safer Highway Patrol teams now maintain round‑the‑clock surveillance on major roads, including Doma Road, Makurdi Road, Shendam Road, Akwanga‑Jos Road, Gudi‑Keffi Road and the Keffi‑Abuja highway. These patrols are supported by intelligence gathering mechanisms and rapid response units designed to swiftly respond to security threats and emergencies.

Mohammed reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive crime‑fighting measures and strengthening partnerships with communities to ensure the protection of lives and property across Nasarawa State.