Police arrest suspected kidnappers, recover exhibits in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and recovered incriminating exhibits following a distress report from a victim.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, SP Ramhan Nansel, stated that on February 13, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, one Jameson Godwill, 25, of Ado Village, Nasarawa State, reported to the police that he had spotted one of his alleged kidnappers, Musa Babagana, at Mararaba Junction.

Nansel said Godwill and his younger sibling were reportedly kidnapped on January 25, 2025, around 7:30 am while travelling in a suspected commercial vehicle from Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State, to CBN Junction, Abuja.
“The suspects allegedly robbed them of two mobile phones—an iPhone 12 and an iPhone 11 Pro—as well as ₦63,000 in cash before giving them ₦1,000 for transportation back to Mararaba,” Nansel said.

He said Godwill, on sighting Babagana, raised an alarm, prompting the suspect to flee at high speed in an attempt to evade arrest.

Nansel said police operatives were immediately and swiftly deployed in the area and arrested Babagana, Iliyasu Baba, and another suspect, Ibrahim Mohammad, adding that a fourth suspect, identified only as Haruna, managed to escape.

The police spokesperson said that during interrogation, both Musa Babagana and Ibrahim Mohammed confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Abuja and its environs, including Dutse Alhaji, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Mandala, and Suleja in Niger State.

He said they admitted to kidnapping victims, detaining them, and demanding ransom from their relatives before release.

Items recovered from them include one Toyota Corolla with registration number FK186 EKO, two military camouflage uniforms, one military desert camouflage uniform, one black paramilitary uniform, one military identification card, one paramilitary cap, four SIM cards from different network providers, two jackknives, one pair of handcuffs, one black boot, and a desert boot, amongst others.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.