Police bust kidnappers’ hideout in Nasarawa, recover rifles

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State have uncovered a suspected kidnappers’ hideout, arrested one suspect and recovered weapons during an intelligence-led operation.

The breakthrough was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Ramhan Nansel.

According to the statement, operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, stormed a hideout believed to belong to a notorious kidnapping syndicate at Gidan Akuya village in Keana Local Government Area.

Police said the suspects attempted to flee on sighting the operatives, but officers pursued them, leading to the arrest of a 43-year-old suspect identified as Jibril Yunusa.

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a locally fabricated rifle.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to taking part in several kidnapping operations around the Keana and Awe axis of the state and provided information to aid ongoing investigations.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed security operatives to intensify efforts to track down other members of the gang who escaped during the raid.

Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.