The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Barrister Yusuf Musa, a Permanent Secretary with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Information.
The senior government official, who previously served as the General Manager of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), was kidnapped from his private residence in Ungwan Nungu, a community within Lafia, the state capital. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Providing details of the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, revealed that security operatives are actively pursuing leads to secure the victim’s release and apprehend the kidnappers.
According to him, the police patrol team from B Division, Lafia, stumbled upon suspicious signs during their routine rounds around 3:05 am on Tuesday.
The officers reportedly discovered a Peugeot pick-up van abandoned with all its doors left wide open. This unusual sight prompted the team to further inspect the surrounding.
Upon reaching the residence of Barrister Yusuf Musa, the patrol team noticed that the gate was left ajar, raising immediate security concerns. A prompt search of the premises confirmed that the permanent secretary was missing.
Additionally, his personal vehicle, a GMC with registration number KUJ 88 PA, was also unaccounted for—strongly suggesting that he had been abducted.
In swift response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, initiated a comprehensive tactical operation.
He ordered all police divisions across the state—including those in Akwanga, Andaha, Garaku, and Kadarko—to mobilize and intensify efforts to track the kidnappers. Surveillance teams were also strategically deployed along major routes and suspected escape paths to intercept the fleeing criminals.
SP Nansel further stated that CP Mohammed has declared a statewide manhunt, expressing the Command’s firm commitment to ensuring the safe rescue of the victim and bringing the perpetrators to justice. He stressed that the police are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to resolve the case promptly.
Meanwhile, the Command has appealed to residents of Nasarawa State to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies.
The police also urged anyone with credible information that could aid the ongoing rescue operation to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through its emergency hotlines: 08036157659, 08037461715, and 07032532391.