There was tension in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Tuesday following the abduction of Barrister Yusuf Musa, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information, Tourism, and Culture, by unidentified gunmen.
According to the Nasarawa State Police Command, the incident occurred in the Shinge area of Lafia, where the senior government official was forcefully taken from his residence during the early hours of Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Spokesperson for the Command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the development in an official statement, describing the situation as a suspected kidnapping. He said a police patrol team from B Division, Lafia, made the initial discovery during routine checks around 3:05 a.m.
The officers reportedly came across a Peugeot pick-up van with all its doors flung open in a suspicious manner. Further inspection led them to the victim’s home, where they found the main gate ajar and signs of a possible forced entry. It was subsequently confirmed that Barrister Musa was missing, along with his GMC vehicle bearing registration number KUJ 88 PA.
Following the confirmation, the State Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered a full-scale operation across the state. Tactical units and surveillance teams were deployed across strategic locations including Akwanga, Andaha, Garaku, and Kadarko, with the aim of intercepting the suspects and securing the victim’s safe return.
“The Commissioner has mandated an intensive manhunt and assured the public of the Command’s firm commitment to rescuing the victim and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Nansel stated.
The Police Command has appealed to residents to stay calm and report any suspicious activity or helpful information to the authorities. Citizens are encouraged to reach out via the emergency numbers: 08036157659, 08037461715, or 07032532391.
