Authorities free four abduction victims in Nasarawa, initiate search for perpetrators

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By Edwin Philip, Lafia

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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