Suspected Kidnappers Crash In Nasarawa After Collecting Ransom From Abuja Lawyer

Suspected kidnappers who had just collected ransom were involved in a motor accident at Angwan Mayo, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Monday morning.

The suspected kidnappers were heading to Plateau State after securing the ransom following the abduction of an Abuja-based lawyer in Nyanya, when their vehicle crashed.

After the crash, the two suspects fled into the bush to forestall their arrest.

However, one of the suspects, Mohammed Tahir of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested through a combined effort of the military and police personnel.

The Public Relations Officer to the Nasarawa State Police Command, Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed the incident, said N6.9 million cash, along with three rifles and ammunition, were recovered from the accident vehicle.

He said the arrested suspect confessed that they were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds from the abduction of the lawyer when their vehicle crashed.

He explained: “On 18/08/2025 at about 0908 hrs, police operatives attached to Garaku Division received a distress call from the 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 immediately towed to the police station where a thorough search was conducted and led to the recovery of the following exhibits: One (1) AK-47 rifle; one (1) Type 06 rifle; one (1) G3 rifle; three Magazines and Fifty-Seven (57) rounds of live ammunition; and cash totaling ₦6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira only).

“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.

“The suspect and recovered exhibits have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, psc, mnips, for further investigation.”

He noted that the police commissioner reassured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to working with sister security agencies to rid the state and its environs of crime and criminality.

“He also applauded members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to keep supporting the police and other security agencies in the state,” he stated.