Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command on Tuesday arrested a notorious kidnapper and rescued two students of the Federal University, Lafia, from their captivity.

The spokesperson for the command, Ramhan Nansel, in a statement, said the operation was carried out after receiving a distress call about 09:20 p.m. on Sunday regarding an attack on a student lodge behind Nasara Estate, Tudun Kauri, by suspected kidnappers.

Mr Nansel said, “During the attack, two students of Federal University Lafia, Sadiq Adinoyi and Sakina Adinoyi, were abducted,” prompting the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, to mobilise operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit and ‘A’ Division and track down the criminals.

“Following technical intelligence gathering, a rescue operation was conducted on April 1, 2025, at about 11:30 a.m. in a forest behind the 500 Housing Unit along Doma Road, Lafia. During the operation, police operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel.

“Overwhelmed by police firepower, the kidnappers fled in different directions, abandoning the victims, who were safely rescued. One suspect, Ibrahim Musa of Abuni village, Awe Local Government Area, was apprehended at the scene. He has since made useful confessions and is assisting ongoing investigations,” he said.

Stressing the command’s commitment to tackling crime head-on, the police commissioner commended the operatives and urged them to remain steadfast in their mission to rid the state of criminal activities.