The Nasarawa State Police Command has announced the rescue of four kidnap victims after its operatives stopped an attempted abduction in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Andaha Division following a distress call about the activities of suspected kidnappers around Megona Filling Station, along the Akwanga-Jos Road.
In a statement issued to journalists in Lafia on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the incident happened on July 21, 2026, at about 9:40 p.m.
He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately mobilised a team of officers to the area after receiving the report.
According to him, the suspects opened fire on the police team when they arrived at the scene, resulting in a gun battle.
“On sighting the police, the armed hoodlums opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun duel. However, the police responded with superior tactical firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of injuries.”
Nansel said the four victims were rescued without injuries, while some items suspected to have been stolen from a nearby provision store were recovered during the operation.
“The four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, while several provisions believed to have been stolen from a nearby provision store were recovered and taken into police custody.”
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, PSC, mnips, praised the officers for their swift response and described the rescue as evidence of the command’s commitment to protecting residents.
“The commissioner has ordered an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects and directed that all available operational and intelligence assets be deployed to ensure their immediate arrest and prosecution,” he said.
Nansel further disclosed that the ongoing search operation was being conducted alongside the military, local vigilante groups, and hunters, with security personnel currently combing surrounding bushes in an effort to track down the fleeing suspects.
He urged residents to remain alert and support security agencies by providing credible information that could assist in the fight against criminal activities across the state.