The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested two men alleged to be behind a series of kidnapping threats and extortion schemes in Doma and Lafia local government areas.
According to the police, the suspects had been issuing threats to several residents for months, demanding millions of naira in ransom under the threat of abduction.
Their activities reportedly left many communities in fear, with some victims already paying the demanded money.
A police statement on Monday said the suspects, identified as 28-year-old Abubakar Abdullahi from Bauchi State and 32-year-old Abdullahi Isah from Nasarawa State, were taken into custody on Sunday after residents of Saman Laraba village raised the alarm.
“The men had been calling people repeatedly, demanding ₦3 million or more. Sadly, some individuals have already given in and paid.
“Their arrest is a major breakthrough for us,” the Nasarawa state police statement added.
Furthermore, investigators disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects admitted to collecting between ₦6 million and ₦7 million from different individuals across both local government areas.
They have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further questioning.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed hailed the operation and assured residents that the command remains determined to dismantle criminal networks operating in the state.
“We want to send a strong message that crime does not pay. Anyone who tries to exploit or terrorise the people of Nasarawa will be caught and prosecuted,” Mohammed said in a statement.
The police urged the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information that could help in tackling security challenges across the state.