Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have rescued a two-year-old boy kidnapped in the Sabon Pegi area of Lafia Local Government Area and arrested three suspects linked to the crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Lafia on Friday, where he also highlighted recent operational successes recorded across the state.
According to him, the suspects — Asabe Isah, Isah Umar, and Emmanuel Polycarp — were apprehended after a swift manhunt launched immediately following the abduction report.
“On October 14, 2025, at about 7:30 p.m., a complaint was lodged at the ‘E’ Division that one Godwin Abeson, aged two, of Sabon Pegi, Shabu, had been kidnapped, and a ransom of fifteen million naira (₦15,000,000) was demanded,” Mohammed stated.
He said operatives attached to the Shabu Division acted promptly and arrested the suspects, leading to the safe rescue of the boy two days later, on October 16. The victim has since been reunited with his family.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Asabe Isah conspired with her husband, Isah Umar, to abduct the child. The couple later handed the boy over to Emmanuel Polycarp in Angwan Nungu, Lafia, where ransom calls were made to the victim’s family.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime,” the Commissioner added, noting that further investigations were ongoing to uncover other accomplices and related networks.
In a separate operation, police also arrested a suspected armed robber and kidnapper in the Azara community of Awe Local Government Area, recovering an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and live ammunition.
According to CP Mohammed, the suspect, Mohammed Alhaji Giginya, was arrested on October 5 after gunmen attacked road users along the Akiri feeder road in Azara. Victims of the attack were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Between August 30 and October 16, 2025, the Nasarawa Police Command recorded the arrest of 24 suspected kidnappers and one armed robber, recovering three firearms and eight live rounds of ammunition.
Mohammed reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, warning criminal elements that security agencies would continue to pursue them relentlessly.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to ensure safety across the state. The command will intensify intelligence gathering and strengthen community policing to ensure all criminals face the full weight of the law,” he declared.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing anti-crime operations.
