Suspected kidnappers were involved in a lone motor accident in Nasarawa State on Monday morning, August 18, 2025, after collecting a ransom. The incident occurred at the Angwan Mayo community in Kokona Local Government Area, near a VIO checkpoint. According to Professor Akyala Ishaku, an academic and research scientist who witnessed the aftermath on his way to work, the criminals were attempting to flee the area when their Peugeot 406 vehicle crashed. They managed to escape from the scene, but left behind the ransom money and multiple firearms in their vehicle.

The Nasarawa State Police Command, acting swiftly on a distress call received around 0908hrs, promptly responded to the scene in collaboration with the Nigeria Army. Upon arrival, police operatives attached to Garaku Division found members of the public gathered, and a vigilant VIO officer handed over a G3 rifle and cash recovered from the accident vehicle. The vehicle, identified as an Opel Vectra with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST, was towed to the police station for a thorough search. This comprehensive search led to the recovery of significant exhibits, including one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, fifty-seven rounds of live ammunition, and a cash sum totaling N6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira only).

Following an intensive manhunt launched by the Police and Military, one of the fleeing suspects, identified as Mohammed Tahir, a male from Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested after escaping into the forest. During interrogation, Tahir confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnap gang. He admitted to their involvement in the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja (FCT), from whom the recovered ransom was collected. Tahir further disclosed that he and another accomplice were en route to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before their vehicle crashed. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects at large.

The arrested suspect and all recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed. The Nasarawa State Police Command has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to combat crime and criminality within the state and its environs, while also commending the public for their vigilance and continued support.