Police Begin Manhunt After Gunmen Abduct The Chief Of Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has begun a manhunt to rescue a traditional title holder, the Madakin of the Shabu community in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Musa Shuaibu, who was kidnapped by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the area at exactly 8 pm on Thursday and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, told our correspondent that Shuaibu was kidnapped a few metres away from his residence after observing the Muslim dusk prayer (Isha’i) in a mosque in the area.

He said, “We heard that he was kidnapped just a few meters away from his house. The gunmen came in their numbers and took him to an unknown destination.

“We also heard that the police are already following up on the matter to ensure that he is rescued unhurt. Our prayer is that he should return to this community (Shabu) in good health and sound mind.

“The Madakin Shabu has been a peace-loving and kind man. He shows love to everyone irrespective of tribe or religion. He does not deserve this challenge that he is facing at the moment.

“I, therefore, call on the Nasarawa State government and the security agencies to work towards ensuring that he is rescued unhurt.”

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, told our correspondent that officers of the command had been deployed to the area to ensure that the Chief regains freedom, and to arrest the criminal elements.

“It is true that he was kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the criminals and rescue the victim,” Nansel said.