The police in command in Nasarawa says some kidnappers abandoned N6.9 million ransom and rifles after a car accident in Garaku, Kokona LGA.

Ramhan Nansel, police spokesperson in Nasarawa, said in a statement that the incident occurred around 9am on Monday after operatives received a distress call about a crash involving an Opel Vectra near the vehicle inspection office (VIO) checkpoint.

Nansel said two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene while a VIO officer recovered a G3 rifle and cash from the car before handing them over to the police.

He said the vehicle was later towed to the police station, where a search uncovered one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and N6.9 million.

The police spokesperson added that a joint manhunt with the military led to the arrest of a suspect, Mohammed Tahir, from Barkin Ladi in Plateau state.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnap gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, where ransom was collected,” the statement reads.

“He revealed that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the proceeds of the crime before the accident occurred.”

Nansel said the recovered items and the suspect have been transferred to the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Lafia, on the directive of Shettima Jauro-Mohammed, the commissioner of police.

He said efforts are underway to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang while urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.