By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos — A gang of suspected kidnappers who abducted a child in Jos, demanded ransom, and allegedly murdered the victim has been apprehended by the Plateau State Police Command.

The State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, revealed on Tuesday that the incident occurred in December 2024 when the child, identified as Tasiu Abdullahi, went missing. Afterward, the family received a ransom demand of over ₦1 million, though ₦150,000 was eventually paid. Tragically, the boy was not released, and his body was later discovered.

Adesina confirmed that the suspects involved have been arrested and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

In a related development, the Commissioner stated, “Acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of January 24, 2025, our officers mounted a checkpoint around Kuka area, Pankshin LGA, at about 3:20 am. During a stop-and-search operation, two young men approached on a motorcycle. One of them jumped off and fled into the bushes.”

“The other suspect, a 28-year-old male, was apprehended. Upon conducting an on-the-spot search, an AK-47 rifle (breach no. NR3692) with an empty magazine was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and ensure he faces the full weight of the law,” Adesina added.

The Commissioner also noted the arrest of other suspects linked to various crimes and commended law-abiding citizens of the state for their cooperation in aiding the police in the fight against crime.