Twist of Fate: How Bandits Had Fatal Accident In Nasarawa After Collecting Huge Ransoms In Abuja
- Suspected terrorists had a fatal crash along a Nasarawa State highway after collecting ransom from a victim's family and freeing the victim in Abuja on Monday, August 18
- Eyewitness gave a detailed account of how the incident unfolded, and what led to the fatal crash
- Police confirmed the crash, giving a detailed account of the investigation and arrest of a suspect among the fleeing bandits, recovered a huge amount of ransom money and ammunition
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Kokona, Nasarawa State - A breakthrough in the fight against banditry and kidnapping was recorded in Nasarawa State on Monday, August 18, 2025, after suspected terrorists who had just collected ransom money from their victim in Abuja were involved in a fatal accident that exposed their operations.
Source: UGC
Legit.ng gathered that the incident occurred at Angwan Mayo, near the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) checkpoint in Kokona Local Government Area.
Eyewitness recounts incident
According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists, who were driving in a Peugeot 406 car loaded with guns, lost control of the vehicle while speeding along the highway.
A community source identified as Sidiq told Legit.ng that the criminals had just concluded a ransom deal when the crash occurred.
“Kidnappers collected ransom and had an accident at Angwan Mayo around Kokona LGA of Nasarawa state this morning with their Peugeot 406 loaded with guns,” he explained.
He further revealed that the suspects were driving recklessly because they feared being chased by security operatives.
“It was gathered that the kidnappers were speeding on the highway moments after they freed a man in Abuja. They were driving recklessly because they thought policemen would be chasing them,” he added.
Police confirms arrest of suspect
Confirming the development in a WhatsApp conversation, the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, described the incident as a huge success in the command’s war against violent crimes.
He explained that operatives of the Garaku Division received a distress call at about 9:08 a.m. regarding a lone crash involving an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number Plateau BLD 566 ST.
When the officers arrived at the scene, members of the public had already gathered, and a vigilant VIO officer had recovered a rifle and bundles of cash from the accident vehicle.
The vehicle was immediately towed to the police station, where a search was conducted. According to the police, items recovered from the car included an AK-47 rifle, a Type 06 rifle, a G3 rifle, three magazines, and fifty-seven rounds of live ammunition.
The sum of six million, nine hundred eight thousand, one hundred fifty naira (₦6,908,150) was also recovered, believed to be the ransom collected from their victim.
After the crash, the bandits fled the scene. However, a combined team of police and military personnel launched an immediate manhunt for the suspects.
One of them, later identified as Mohammed Tahir from Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, was tracked down and arrested in a nearby forest.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a seven-man kidnapping gang that recently abducted a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, and collected ransom for his release.
He admitted that he and another accomplice were on their way to Jos to share the ransom before their journey was cut short by the accident. Police have intensified efforts to track down the other fleeing members of the gang.
The suspect and all exhibits recovered have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation, following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed.
CP Muhammed commended the vigilance of residents and urged members of the public to remain cooperative with security agencies.
Source: UGC
Bandits abduct 7 residents in Kwara
Legit.ng previously reported that fear grips communities in Kwara North as terrorists unleash fresh assaults, killing and abducting residents despite the recent arrest of their notorious leader, Mahmud Mohammed Usman, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and his deputy, Mallam Mamuda.
Legit.ng gathered that the fresh attack happened on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18, as residents in Patigi and Ifelodun Local Government Area narrated how the bandits killed and abducted community members.
Source: Legit.ng
Atanda Omobolaji (Kwara State Correspondent)
Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan (Editorial Assistant) Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan is a Legit.ng journalist with over a year of experience writing for Punch Newspaper. He received his BSc in Criminology and Security Studies from FUOYE. His background in media communications and criminology, with practical experience in research, interviewing, and digital media, allows him to craft compelling narratives that drive positive change. Fadehan is an Editorial Assistant on Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He is committed to ethical journalism, leveraging his skills to create a meaningful impact. Reach him at abdul-hafeez.fadehan@corp.legit.ng or 070622666732.
