A significant incident unfolded in Nasarawa State when a gang of kidnappers abandoned a substantial ransom and a cache of weapons after their escape vehicle crashed. The crash occurred on Monday, August 18, 2025, around 9:08 a.m., near the VIO checkpoint at Angwan Mayo, along the Kokona axis. Multiple reports indicate the vehicle involved was an Opel Vectra with registration number PLATEAU BLD 566 ST, which veered off the road shortly after the suspects had collected ransom.

Eyewitnesses reported that two occupants of the vehicle immediately fled into the bush following the accident, leaving behind the car, the ransom, and their dangerous weapons. Upon arrival at the scene, police operatives discovered that members of the public had already gathered, and a vigilant VIO officer had commendably secured a G3 rifle and a large sum of cash found hidden inside the vehicle. A subsequent thorough search of the towed vehicle at the police station led to the recovery of additional exhibits. These included one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, another G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and a total cash sum of N6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira only).

Following the discovery of the abandoned items, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, launched an intensive manhunt for the fleeing suspects. Their swift efforts led to the arrest of one of the individuals, identified as Mohammed Tahir, a male from Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, who was apprehended after attempting to escape through the forest.

During interrogation, Mohammed Tahir confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate. He admitted that this gang was responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, for which a ransom was collected. Tahir further revealed that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime when the accident occurred, foiling their plan.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has transferred Mohammed Tahir and all recovered exhibits to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia for further investigation, as directed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed. The Commissioner has reaffirmed the command's unwavering commitment to flushing out criminal elements from the state and its environs. Efforts are actively ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects at large. The police command also commended the vigilance and cooperation of the public, urging residents to continue partnering with security agencies in their fight against crime.