Nearly N7m cash, rifles, ammunition found, suspect arrested
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A suspected kidnapper involved in a lone motor accident in Kokona Council of Nasarawa has been arrested by police, with N6.9 million cash and sophisticated rifles and ammunition recovered.
Nasarawa Police Command spokesperson Ramhan Nansel disclosed in a statement issued in Lafia that “On 18/08/2025 at about 0908hrs, police operatives attached to Garaku Division received a distress call from Angwan Mayo community regarding a lone crash near the VIO checkpoint.
“Two occupants of an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.
“Upon arrival, operatives discovered that members of the public had already gathered, while a vigilant VIO officer handed over a G3 rifle and cash earlier recovered from the accident vehicle.”
The accident vehicle was towed to the police station where a search recovered exhibits that included one AK-47 rifle; one Type 06 rifle; one G3 rifle; three magazines and 57 rounds of live ammunition, according to Nansel.
A total N6,908,150 cash was also recovered, Nansel added.
“Reacting swiftly, the police, in collaboration with the Military, launched an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects. One of them, later identified as Mohammed Tahir, male, of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested after escaping into the forest.
“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 (FCT), from whom ransom was collected.
“He further admitted that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before the accident occurred. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects at large.”
Nansel said following a directive from Police Commissioner Shettima Mohammed, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation.
He applauded members of the public for giving relevant information to the police, and urged them to keep supporting the police and other security agencies to tackle all forms of criminality.
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