Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nasarawa State Command, have arrested a couple, Asabe Isa and her husband, Umar Isa, for allegedly abducting a two-year-old boy, Godwin Abeson, from Sabon Pegi, Shabu, in Lafia.
The State Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, disclosed this on Friday during a press conference in Lafia.
He said the suspects, along with 21 others arrested for various kidnapping-related offences, are in custody and will be charged to court after investigations.
According to the police, the couple abducted the child on October 16 and demanded N5 million for his release.
“Upon receiving the complaint, police detectives launched a manhunt and arrested the suspects alongside one Emmanuel Polycarp, who hid the victim at his residence in Angwan Nungu,” CP Shettima said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Asabe conspired with her husband to carry out the abduction and later confessed to the crime.
The commissioner also listed other suspects arrested in connection with several kidnapping attempts foiled by the command between August and October.
Those in custody include Leko Jibrin, Maigari Nature, Babare Ishaku, Abdullahi Hassan, Usman Yau, Musa Adamu, Yakubu Ali, Musa Abubakar, Yahaya Abdullahi, Usman Bello, Mohammed Ide, Yahaya Sulaiman, Abdullahi Haruna, and Christopher Habila.
Others are Illiyasu Umar, Ibrahim Adamu, Umar Faruq, Ali Sani, Muhammed Ibrahim, Nuhu Mohammed, and Mohammed Alhaji Giginya.
Recovered items include a locally fabricated gun, five cartridges, four empty 7.62×39mm shells, ₦165,000 cash, a knife, three firearms, and eight rounds of ammunition.
In a related development, the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said its operatives neutralised two suspected kidnappers during a recent operation.
State Commandant Brah Samson Umoru said that upon assuming office, he conducted a security assessment that led to the creation of the Commandant’s Crack Squad and the revitalisation of the Agro Rangers unit.
According to him, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at about 7:08 a.m., operatives foiled a kidnapping attempt targeting residents of Bukan Ari, Kurikyo Road, Shabu, Sabon Pegi, Azuba, and parts of Lafia Metropolis.
“During a fierce gun battle, two kidnappers were neutralised, two suspects arrested, while one escaped and is currently being trailed,” Umoru said.
Recovered items from the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five mobile phones, two knives, and charms.
Residents of Lafia have called for stiffer penalties against kidnappers to curb the rising crime.
CP Shettima assured the public that the police remain committed to protecting lives and property. He urged residents to stay vigilant and provide credible information to support ongoing security operations.
@ Nigerian Tribune
