TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nasarawa State

  • Tragedy strikes as unknown gunmen kill prominent northern businessman

    Tragedy strikes as unknown gunmen kill prominent northern businessman

    A prominent Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Sani Sabo has been killed by gunmen suspected to be bandit in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the incident happened after the gunmen stormed the area around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, shooting the businessman dead before attempting to escape.

    Eye witnesses disclosed that residents quickly mobilised to confront the attackers, killing one of them while the rest managed to flee the scene.

    Alhaji Sani was described as a well-known philanthropist who regularly supported the less privileged in his community.

    A source said: “Yesterday in Lafia, at about 9:20 p.m., gunmen arrived and shot the biggest businessman in Lafia. He was like a brother to me.

    “The people in the area, angered by the killing, fought back and killed one of the gunmen. This man’s death has touched many people in Nasarawa State. He helped a lot, especially the poor. As we speak, his house is filled with mourners. He will be buried this afternoon at 2:00 p.m.”

    The state government and security operatives have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of filing this report.

  • Police detain notorious kidnap kingpin, 5 others in Nasarawa forest

    Police detain notorious kidnap kingpin, 5 others in Nasarawa forest

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has detained for prosecution an alleged notorious kidnap kingpin in his hideout in a forest in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lafia.

    The PPRO said that the notorious and dreaded armed robber and kidnapper was apprehended by personnel attached to the Doma Police Division.

    Nansel noted that the operation was part of the relentless onslaught by the command against criminals in the state.

    He further said that the suspect, who hails from Yelwa village in the area, was responsible for multiple kidnappings and robberies across Doma LGA and its environs.

    “The suspect narrowly escaped arrest last in July, 2023 when his gang members were apprehended.

    “During a clearance operation at Doka forest, eagle-eyed operatives spotted him.

    “In a desperate bid to evade capture, he pulled a knife to attack the officers but was swiftly overpowered and arrested.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspect  led detectives to their hideout at Alagye village, Doma, where dangerous exhibits were recovered,” he said.

    He listed the items recovered to include: one pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551), one locally made AK-47 rifle with magazine, and two live ammunition and five cartridges.

    Others were, one knife and a rope, two Tecno handsets, and a pair of Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps uniform.

    Nansel also said that the personnel attached to the Awe Police Division, acting on intelligence, also arrested five suspected members of a 10-man kidnapping syndicate at Gidan Taking village in the area.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate masterminded the kidnapping of Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta village in Awe LGA.

    “Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live ammunition were recovered from them.

    The PPRO further said that the police uncovered that the same group abducted John Ada-Kuje, husband of Blessing John, in April 2024 and collected ransom before releasing him.

    The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police(CP), Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, as commending the gallant officers for their courage and professionalism.

    He added that the CP had charged them to sustain the pressure on criminals until the state was completely rid of kidnappers and armed robbers.

    Nansel further stated that the arrested suspects had been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution.

  • Lawmakers raise alarm over insecurity in Nasarawa

    Lawmakers raise alarm over insecurity in Nasarawa

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has raised an alarm over rising cases of insecurity in the state, especially kidnapping.

    Dr. Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the House, stated this on Wednesday after the member representing Lafia Central Constituency, Mr Solomon Akwashiki, raised the issue during the matter of public interest during the House Proceedings in Lafia.

    The speaker called on security agencies in the state to utilise the anti-kidnapping law passed by the House to curb kidnapping in the state.

    He also expressed concern over complicity in the continuous act of kidnapping, worrying that the state was gradually becoming a kidnapping den.

    “Our resolutions are as thus, we call on the state governor to direct security agencies to beef up security across the state. Secondly, we are directing security agencies to use the law passed by this House to curb kidnapping.

    “Thirdly, we call on residents to report suspicious movements, activities and individuals to security agents for action,” The speaker said.

    Earlier, Mr Solomon Akwashiki, member representing Lafia Central constituency, had raised concerns that Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital was no longer a safe haven, following the continuous act of kidnapping.

    “Mr Speaker, if Lafia is not safe where else will be safe? These kidnappers are on rampage causing harm unhindered. We must rise up before it is too late,” Akwashiki said.

    Also contributing, Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East) reminded the House that the state assembly had passed an anti-kidnapping law and wondered why it was being treated with kid gloves.

    “The law passed by this House provided that if a kidnapper is arrested, he or she should be eliminated. This was working, but we don’t know what later happened,” Ogazi said.

    Also contributing, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr  Suleiman Azara, Mr Esson Mairiga (PDP-Lafia North) and Mr Mohammed Omadefu (APC-Keana) urged security agencies in the state to change tactics in curbing kidnapping.

  • JUST IN: 14 Inmates escape Keffi prison in Nasarawa

    JUST IN: 14 Inmates escape Keffi prison in Nasarawa

    14 yet to be identified inmates have reportedly escaped from the Keffi Correctional Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the incident comes nearly six years after a similar disturbance at the facility.

    It would be recalled that no fewer than 50 inmates on August 15, 2019,  attempted a mass jailbreak over alleged inadequate food and poor medical care, which they claimed were affecting their health.

    A prison source who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said, “There has been a jailbreak in Keffi Prison and 14 prisoners escaped.” 

    At the time of filing this report, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Umar Abubakar, has yet to comment on the development.

    More details to come…

  • Police arrest 6 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    Police arrest 6 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has apprehended six suspected kidnappers in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    SP Ramhan Nansel, the Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) stated this in a statement on Sunday in Lafia.

    The PPRO said that the operation was a significant breakthrough in its ongoing fight against violent crime and kidnapping in the state.

    “Acting on credible intelligence from a patriotic citizen, operatives of Doma Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, raided a notorious criminal hideout at Yelwa Ediya community of Doma LGA.

    “The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects, all male of the same community who were responsible for the kidnapping and armed robbery activities taking place in the area,” he said.

    Nansel explained that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the kidnapping of a serving Councillor in Doma on May 26.

    He added that during the kidnapping of the councillor, they stole two mobile phones, an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno handset valued at ₦20,000.

    “They also admitted to mounting a roadblock along the Doma-Yelwa road on July 19th, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m., where they attacked Ibrahim Haruna of Yelwa Ediya and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle valued at ₦970,000.

    “The stolen motorcycle was sold through one of the suspects, Ibrahim Musa, who contacted a buyer,” Nansel said.

    The spokesperson noted that during the operation, officers of the command recovered ₦100,000, buried in the bush with another motorcycle.

    He further explained that responding to a distress call, their personnel arrested an armed herder grazing on people’s farms at Kuduku community of Keana LGA.

    “Before our personnel reached the scene of the crime, the herders opened fire when confronted by the locals before fleeing.

    “The police, who got there, collaborated with the community members and arrested one of them, 20-year-old Suleman Mohammadu, and recovered one AK-47 magazine loaded with six live rounds of ammunition,” Nansel added.

    The police spokesperson said that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, had ordered that all suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.

    He added that the CP reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to making Nasarawa State safe for all, warning that there will be no hiding place for criminals.

    He urged residents to remain law-abiding and provide timely and credible information to assist police operations.

  • Defect and face dire consequences – Nasarawa PDP

    Defect and face dire consequences – Nasarawa PDP

    The Nasarawa State chapter of PDP has warned its elected officials to be conscious of the dire consequences of defecting with its mandate to another party.

    The state Chairman of the party, Adamu Ninga, issued the warning at a news briefing in Lafia on Tuesday.

    According to Ninga, there is no crisis whatsoever in the leadership of Nasarawa State PDP to justify any defection.

    He was reacting to the defection of the l lawmaker representing Ugya/Umaisha State Constituency, Abdullahi Ibrahim-Sa’ad, from PDP to APC.

    Ibrahim-Sa’ad, on Monday, announced his defection on the floor of the state House of Assembly.

    The party chairman said that the party was not officially aware of the lawmaker’s defection to APC.

    “The ward officials have not yet communicated with the state office about the resignation of the member from our party.

    “We have a channel of communication in the party.

    “So, as far as we are concerned, we have not yet received official notification in that respect,” Ninga said.

    He recalled that the party knew how it campaigned vigorously during the 2023 election, despite the intimidation and manipulation to ensure the victory of their members in the state and national assemblies.

    He argued that apart from any action the party might take to reclaim its mandate, “those who defected would face the wrath of the electorate in the next election.

    “We are united with genuine and committed members now than ever as a party.

    “So, with the steps being taken at the party, we do not doubt that we will reclaim the governorship seat and win the majority of seats in the state and national assemblies,” he said.

    Ninga further said that PDP remained the best option for the state and country, pointing out that records had shown that there was no alternative to the party for now.

    He also recalled that the party implemented policies and programmes that positively impacted the lives of the citizenry during its reign at the federal and state levels.

  • Nasarawa PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    Nasarawa PDP lawmaker defects to APC

    A member, representing Umaisha/ Ugya Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr Ibrahim Sa’ad, has defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress ( APC).

    Dr Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House announced this while reading Sa’ad defection letter during the House proceedings on Tuesday in Lafia. The Speaker appreciated Sa’ad for taken the bold step in joining the APC.

    “Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, our colleague has decided to join APC, the winning team in Nasarawa State. Hon Sa’ad said that he is no longer comfortable with the PDP, that he is more comfortable with APC in the state,” he said

    The Speaker assured the lawmaker  of equal rights and privileges in the party. On his part, Sa’ad , while speaking with newsmen, said that he decided to join APC due to developmental strides of Gov. Abdullahi Sule in the state.

    “I left PDP due to its internal wrangling, which has reached Appeal Court, Makurdi. I have  joined APC to add value to the development of the party and the state at large,” he said.

    He said that he defected to APC after due consultation with stakeholders, political allies and the people of his constituency. Sa’ad assured the people of his constituency of continued quality leadership.

    Also speaking with newsmen, Mr Yarius Dagusa, the State APC Secretary, commended Sa’ad for joining the party. He assured him of a level playing ground in the party.

    “We are looking for more to join the party as we are capable of accommodating all party members,” he added.

  • Nigerian man sent to jail for raping 3-month-old baby

    Nigerian man sent to jail for raping 3-month-old baby

    Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu of the Nasarawa State High Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Ahmadu Yaro, to 21 years imprisonment for raping a three-month-old baby.

    The Nasarawa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had arrested Yaro on May 27, 2020, for sexually assaulting and brutally injuring the baby. The victim was then rushed to the Dalhatu Arab Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia, now Federal University Teaching Hospital.

    After series of examination at the hospital, it was realized that the victim’s case was beyond the facility. The hospital then referred her to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, for medical attention.

    The convict, Ahmadu Yaro of Adogi Village in Lafia local government area, was arraigned in May 2020 over the offence.

    Delivering judgment in the case that has dragged for five years, Justice Bashir-Aliyu, described the act as “barbaric, demonic, and a direct attack on the moral conscience of society.”

    The judge therefore sentenced Yaro to 21 years improvement with hard labour and stated that the sentence would serve as justice for the victim and a deterrence to others.

  • Gunmen abduct Permanent Secretary in Nasarawa

    Gunmen abduct Permanent Secretary in Nasarawa

    The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Mr Yusuf Musa, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism by gunmen.

    The Command’s spokesperson, Rahman Nansel, a Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the incident to NAN on Tuesday in Lafia.

    According to Nansel, Police team from B Division on patrol at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday  around Shinge Road, Lafia, discovered that a Peugeot pick-up van belonging to the Permanent Secretary was left unattended with all doors open in a suspicious manner.

    “Upon closer examination, officers observed that the gate to the victim’s residence was also open, prompting immediate security concerns.

    “A swift search of the premises confirmed that he was missing, along with his GMC vehicle, bearing registration number KUJ 88 PA, raising strong suspicion of an abduction,” he said.

    Nansel said that in response to the development, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, Commissioner of Police (CP), promptly activated a coordinated tactical operation by alerting all relevant police divisions across the state.

    He said that the units in Akwanga, Andaha, Garaku, and Kadarko were put on alert to deploy surveillance along strategic routes to track and intercept the fleeing suspects.

    Nansel that the CP had ordered an intensive statewide manhunt and  reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the victim’s safe rescue and the immediate apprehension of those behind the act.

    The spokesperson, therefore, urged members of the public to assist the police with useful information through  the Command’s emergency lines on 08036157659, 08037461715, and 07032532391.

  • Police foil gunmen attack on personnel in Nasarawa

    Police foil gunmen attack on personnel in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has foiled an attack on its personnel by gunmen on Kadarko-Makurdi Road, a Benue border community in Keana Local Government Area.

    SP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s spokesperson disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lafia. He said that the suspected assailants attacked the police personnel on duty on Tuesday, around 10:55 pm.

    “The gunmen who ambushed and attacked our personnel came from Benue forest and started shooting sporadically.

    “Displaying gallantry and tactical superiority, the personnel engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel. They successfully repelled the attack and forced the criminals to flee into the Benue forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

    “Unfortunately, one police officer, Insp Sunday Apochie, sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange,” Nansel said.

    According to Nansel,  a reinforcement team from the Kadarko Division responded swiftly, rescued the injured officer, and recovered his service AK-47 rifle from the scene.

    He, however, said that a civilian residing near the scene of the incident, was hit by a stray bullet from the gunmen and tragically lost his life.

    He the injured officer was immediately taken to the Primary Health Care Centre, Kadarko and later referred to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, and currently receiving treatment and responding well.

    Nansel said that the Commissioner of Police,  Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, had directed an intensive investigation and manhunt to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

    He added that the CP also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased civilian.

    “The commissioner visited the injured officer at the hospital and gave him succour,” he said.

    The Command’s spokesperson, therefore, assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to arrest and bring the perpetrators of the heinous act to justice and forestall future occurrences.