Following credible intell8gence, planned abduction in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state has been averted by operatives of the Nigerian police, Nasarawa s5ate Command and led to the arrest of four suspects who allegedly conspired to kidnap and kill their target after collecting ransom.
Axcording to the Pokice, the suspects arrested are Yahaya Musa, Likita Adamu, Riga Abdullahi and Saidu Alhaji Gari, all of Adudu District – were arrested by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Lafia, following credible intelligence.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said in a statement on Wednesday that the suspects allegedly plotted to abduct one Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as Alhaji Na’iye.
According to him, the plot was uncovered before it could be executed. Two of the suspects were arrested on September 19, while the remaining two were arrested on September 22 and 23.
Nansel disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime and revealed their plan to kill the victim after ransom payment. They have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, for further investigation and prosecution.
In a separate development, the Command arrested two suspects over a suspected cult-related killing in Lafia.
The police said at about 6:00 a.m. on September 24, the Divisional Police Officer, Ombi 1 Division, received a distress call about a young man lying in a pool of blood behind Eji-World area.
Operatives who visited the scene found the victim, identified as Venus, 26, an indigene of Benue State. He was taken to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where he was confirmed dead.
Preliminary findings showed that the assailants had gone in search of the victim’s friend, Joseph Friday Oluyemi of Maisoti Street, Lafia, who told the police he had earlier received threats from suspected cult members.
Two suspects, Friday Joshua and ThankGod Auta Vincent, have been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects at large. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Muhammad, directed that both cases be thoroughly investigated and all culpable persons brought to justice.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the police.
