The Nasarawa State Police Command has announced operational breakthroughs following the arrest of four suspected abductors who allegedly planned to kidnap and later kill their target after collecting ransom.
The Command also disclosed the arrest of two suspects linked to a cult-related killing in Lafia, the state capital.
The development was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Lafia on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel.
Nansel said operatives of the State Intelligence Department, Lafia, launched a discreet investigation after receiving credible intelligence about an alleged criminal conspiracy and an attempt to commit an offence, including abduction.
According to him, the investigation resulted in the arrest of four suspects identified as Yahaya Musa ‘m’, Likita Adamu ‘m’, Riga Abdullahi ‘m’, and Saidu Alhaji Gari ‘m’, all residents of Adudu District in Obi Local Government Area of the state.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly planned to abduct one Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as Alhaji Na’iye. However, the plan was uncovered before it could be executed.
“Consequently, operatives of the SID arrested two of the suspects on September 19, 2026, while the third suspect was arrested on September 22, 2026 and the fourth on September 23, 2026,” he said.
The PPRO added that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted involvement in the planned abduction and disclosed that they intended to kill the victim after receiving the ransom.
He said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for further investigation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Command also announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with a suspected cult-related killing in Lafia.
Nansel said the Police received a distress call at about 6:00 a.m. on September 24, 2026, reporting that an unidentified man had been found lying in a pool of blood behind the Eji-World area of Lafia.
He said the Divisional Police Officer of Ombi 1 Division, Lafia, led officers to the scene, where they found 26-year-old Venus, whose surname was unknown, a Benue State indigene.
“The victim was immediately evacuated to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where he was subsequently confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly gone in search of the victim’s friend, Joseph Friday Oluyemi ‘m’ of Maisoti Street, Lafia, who later reported to the Police that he had earlier received threats from suspected cult members.”
The Police subsequently arrested two suspects, identified as Friday Joshua ‘m’ and ThankGod Auta Vincent ‘m’, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other persons allegedly connected to the incident.
Nansel said, “The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, for autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shetima Jauro Muhammad, has directed that the investigations be conducted diligently and professionally, with all persons found culpable brought to justice in accordance with the law.
“CP Shetima urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police,” he added.