The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 109 illegal miners following raids on kidnappers’ den.
The command’s public relations officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Lafia on Tuesday.
The command’s spokesman said the raid on the kidnappers hideout by the anti-kidnapping unit was sequel to a recent directive by the commissioner of police, Umar Shehu Nadada.
He said the raid was carried out in collaboration with the vigilante group around Alogani mountains in Nasarawa Eggon local government area of the state.
“In compliance with the directives of the commissioner of police, Nasarawa state, CP Umar Shehu Nadada the command’s Anti-kidnapping unit in collaboration with the vigilante group of Nasarawa Eggon LGA embarked on a massive raid of kidnappers’ den located at Alogani mountains.
“The operation commenced from Mada station to Wakama, a mountain stretch that kidnappers use as a hideout to keep their victims until a ransom is paid.
“During the search, it was discovered that the kidnappers had deserted all the camps before the arrival of the operatives but 109 suspects were arrested at different locations on the mountain carrying out illegal mining of solid minerals such as Topaz, Tin and Aquamarine. A den gun, cutlasses, knives illegally mined solid minerals, etc were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
“The suspects have been profiled and investigation is ongoing,” he explained.
He said the raid of criminal hideouts in the state will continue, while warning men of the underworld to turn a new leaf or meet their waterloo.
