Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria — Okay News reports that the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State, located in central Nigeria, has arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered a firearm during an operation in Akwanga Local Government Area.
The spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the development in an official statement released in Lafia, the state capital. He described the arrest as part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement authorities to tackle rising criminal activities in the region.
According to the statement, officers attached to the Police Mobile Force 38 Unit in Akwanga received credible intelligence on Friday, March 20, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. West African Time (WAT, GMT+1). The intelligence indicated that a suspected kidnapper had been sighted in the area carrying a firearm.
“Acting swiftly on the information, a team of Mobile Police operatives was immediately deployed to the scene, and they successfully apprehended the 32-year-old male suspect.
“The suspect is from Rugan Hassan in Adudu Community of Awe Local Government Area of the state.
“Upon arrest, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of one AK-49 rifle along with four rounds of live 7.56mm ammunition,” he said.
Authorities said the suspect and the recovered weapon have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the unit responsible for handling serious criminal cases, for further investigation.
The police added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals who may be linked to the suspected criminal network.
The statement also conveyed assurances from the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, that security agencies remain committed to protecting residents. Members of the public were urged to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.
The arrest highlights continued concerns about kidnapping in parts of Nigeria and underscores the role of intelligence-led policing in addressing such threats.
