Midnight Showdown on Akwanga Road: Police Gun Down Suspected Kidnapper in Nasarawa

Midnight Showdown on Akwanga Road: Police Gun Down Suspected Kidnapper in Nasarawa

By Musa Garba

The Nasarawa State Police Command has announced the killing of a suspected kidnapper during a late-night operation in the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area.

According to a statement released on Monday in Lafia by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the operation is part of ongoing efforts by the command to clamp down on criminal activities and improve public safety across the state.

Nansel explained that the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when a police patrol team conducting routine surveillance along the Akwanga highway stumbled upon what appeared to be a planned ambush near the Rice Mill area in Nasarawa Eggon.

The officers reportedly noticed that the road had been deliberately blocked with stones, a tactic believed to have been set up by armed men to trap unsuspecting travelers.

On spotting the approaching patrol vehicle, the suspects allegedly opened fire, leading to a gun battle. The police team responded swiftly, overpowering the attackers. One of the suspects was fatally wounded, while others escaped into nearby bushes, possibly with gunshot injuries.

Following the encounter, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shetima Mohammed, ordered immediate deployment of additional personnel to the scene to reinforce security and restore calm.

The injured suspect was taken to a medical facility, where a doctor later confirmed him dead. He was subsequently identified as Auta Habu, said to be from a Fulani settlement in Gidan Waya village within the same local government area.

Preliminary findings, according to the police, suggest that the deceased had links to multiple criminal operations in the area, including theft and armed robbery, which have raised concerns among local residents about safety and security.

Authorities confirmed that the road has been cleared and is now safe for motorists. Meanwhile, security operatives have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang.

The police urged residents to stay alert and promptly report any unusual or suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

Reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding lives and property, the command assured the public that operations against criminal elements will continue across the state.