A fresh wave of insecurity has unsettled communities in Nasarawa and Plateau States following the abduction of six university students and another resident in Nasarawa, as well as separate Police operations that led to the killing of a suspected kidnapper and the arrest of eight others linked to abduction activities across the North-Central region.
The incidents, which occurred within days of each other, have heightened concerns among residents, students and security stakeholders over the growing activities of kidnappers operating in rural communities and along vulnerable corridors in both States.
In Nasarawa, panic spread across Gudi community in Akwanga Local Government Area of the State after armed gunmen invaded an off-campus students’ lodge and abducted seven persons, including six engineering students of Nasarawa State University.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 9pm on Tuesday when the gunmen stormed a students’ residence located at Anguwar Ninzo on the outskirts of Gudi and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination.
Although the main campus of Nasarawa State University is located in Keffi, the institution’s Faculty of Engineering is situated in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area, the hometown of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
The latest abduction has triggered fear among students and residents of the university community, especially as the incident happened less than a kilometre from the governor’s residence in Gudi.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, Ramhan Nansel, Spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, said the Command received a distress call shortly after the attack and immediately mobilised security operatives to the area.
“So far, six victims have been identified, all of whom are students of the Faculty of Engineering, Gudi Campus of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, alongside one other victim who was reportedly visiting one of the students at the time of the incident,” the statement read.
The Police spokesperson disclosed that Shetima Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police in the State, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and assured students, residents and members of the university community that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims safely.
“To strengthen ongoing operations, the Commissioner of Police has redeployed the Area Commander, Akwanga, to coordinate field operations in the area pending the rescue of the victims,” the statement added.
The Command further disclosed that a joint security team, comprising the Police, DSS, Military, NSCDC, vigilance groups and other tactical units had been deployed to track the abductors and rescue the victims.
The development came amid another anti-kidnapping operation by the Nasarawa State Police Command, which led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of two residents of Rukubi Community in Doma Local Government Area.
During a press briefing in Lafia on Thursday, Shetima Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, said the suspects were apprehended after armed hoodlums invaded the community on Tuesday night, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents.
According to him, the attackers stormed the homes of two residents, identified as Habib Usman and Peter Ajidiku, before abducting two victims, Ayele Jonathan and Rose Samuel, to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the report, Police patrol teams were immediately mobilised in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Military, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, National Forest Security Service and vigilant youths of the community,” Mohammed said.
He identified the suspects as Adamu Alfa (35), Muhammed Alfa (25), Shuaibu Alfa (33), Usman Alfa (25), Ali Alfa (30), Isa Alfa (15), Adamu Alfa (25), and Ja’afaru Alfa (38), all from Rugan Alhaji Alfa in Rukubi Village.
The Police commissioner disclosed that the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and four Bajaj motorcycles allegedly used by the suspects.
“Furthermore, one of the suspects, identified as Muhammed Alfa, sustained fatal injuries during the encounter and later died while receiving treatment,” he stated.
He added that two expended AK-47 ammunition shells were also recovered from the victims’ residence and had been documented as exhibits connected to the incident.
Mohammed commended security operatives, vigilantes and local youths for their swift collaboration, assuring residents that security had been reinforced in the affected communities to prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Police Command on Thursday announced a breakthrough operation against suspected kidnappers in Mangu Local Government Area, where one suspected abductor was killed during a gun battle with operatives.
In a statement signed by Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on behalf of Bassey Ewah, the Commissioner of Police, the command said the operation was carried out in Changal Village, Gindiri District.
“The Command, as part of sustained efforts to curb crime and criminality, has recorded another operational success against armed kidnappers operating within Mangu axis,” the statement said.
According to the Police, detectives attached to the Gindiri Division encountered the suspects on Wednesday evening while trailing criminal elements in the area.
“Our operatives responded professionally to the attack, leading to a gun duel in which one suspect was neutralised, while others fled and were later arrested,” the statement added.
The command further disclosed that one of the fleeing suspects sustained a leg fracture while attempting to escape and was currently receiving treatment under security watch.
The Police further said an AK-47 rifle loaded with sixteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered during the operation alongside a Redmi mobile phone allegedly belonging to one of the gang’s victims.
The Police added that the case had been transferred to the Violent Crimes Response Unit for further investigation and prosecution.
The incidents in Nasarawa and Plateau states have once again underscored growing concerns over insecurity across parts of the North-Central region, where communities continue to face recurring cases of kidnapping, armed attacks and violent crimes despite ongoing security operations.
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