Kidnappers abandon N6.9m ransom after road accident in Nasarawa

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of N6.9 million and multiple rifles abandoned by suspected kidnappers after a car accident in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson Ramhan Nansel said in a statement that the incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday, August 18, after operatives received a distress call about a crash involving an Opel Vectra near the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) checkpoint.

According to Nansel, two occupants of the car fled the scene, leaving behind weapons and cash. A VIO officer recovered a G3 rifle and money from the vehicle before handing them over to the police. The car was later towed to the station, where a search revealed one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, another G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and N6.9 million.

He disclosed that a joint operation with the military led to the arrest of one suspect, Mohammed Tahir, from Barkin Ladi in Plateau State. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnap gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, where ransom was collected. He revealed that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before the accident occurred,” Nansel said.

The items and the suspect have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia, on the orders of Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro-Mohammed.

Nansel added that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing gang members, urging residents to remain vigilant and work closely with security agencies.