Nasarawa State is witnessing a tougher security approach as police intensify patrols, intelligence operations and border checks.
The strategy has produced arrests, weapons recoveries and a stronger push against kidnapping across the state.
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed said the gains reflect stronger leadership and cooperation among security agencies.
Speaking in an interview with Priscimedia, CP Mohammed highlighted the impact of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu.
He praised the IGP for giving commanders greater freedom to operate within the law and respond to security threats. Mohammed also credited Governor Abdullahi A. Sule with providing vital equipment and logistics for police operations.
One of the latest breakthroughs involved a woman allegedly transporting weapons through Nasarawa State. According to the police chief, officers intercepted her with 10 magazines and 551 live ammunition. The woman was reportedly travelling from Doma toward Lafia before heading toward Kaduna.
Police said she claimed someone from Doma handed the consignment to her for delivery at a park. Officers reportedly followed her to the park and arrested another woman who was waiting for the package.
The second suspect allegedly mentioned a man in Kaduna as the intended recipient.
Police tracking reportedly placed the man’s phone in Birnin Gwari, an area linked to bandit activity.
The two women have been charged before the Federal High Court, according to the commissioner. Mohammed said the arrest followed the command’s decision to establish more stop-and-search points along key routes.
He explained that some suspects had previously avoided military checkpoints before encountering police checkpoints. The commissioner said the new checks have helped police detect suspicious movements and intercept illegal weapons.
He also disclosed that the command has arrested several kidnapping suspects through intelligence gathering and tracking technology.
“We have arrested many, we have prosecuted them. They are in prison now, as I’m talking to you. Many of them. Because we have used our tracking device, we were able to track and arrest many of them. They are in prison.”
The Nasarawa State Police Command has also expanded cooperation with the DSS, civil defence, vigilantes and other security agencies.
Mohammed said community policing remains central to the command’s strategy against kidnapping and armed robbery.
He admitted that police manpower remains limited, making cooperation with other agencies necessary. He also pointed to the command’s intelligence department as a major source of operational information.
According to him, the department has officers spread across communities to gather information on criminal activities. Mohammed identified student accommodation as another major security concern requiring government attention.
He said some students live several kilometres from campuses because of limited accommodation. Such areas may be difficult for security teams to access, especially where roads are poor.
He urged authorities to improve accommodation around institutions to reduce risks faced by students.
The commissioner also addressed reports of land grabbing involving suspected individuals in Nasarawa.
He said the IGP had directed police officers to stay away from civil land disputes.
According to Mohammed, land matters should be handled through the courts rather than police intervention. He said one reported suspect was arrested but released after police discovered that the dispute was already before a court.
On border security, Mohammed said Nasarawa works with neighbouring states to prevent criminals from escaping through interstate routes. He mentioned joint efforts involving Benue, Kaduna, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said security chiefs communicate regularly when criminal activity crosses state boundaries.
The commissioner also referred to the G7 security meetings, where commanders discuss shared security challenges. He said the meetings also involve discussions about vehicles, communication equipment and protective gear.
Mohammed said the police work with the Army and Air Force whenever additional support is required. The commissioner further praised Governor Sule for providing operational vehicles and other logistics.
He said the governor has consistently responded when the police request support for security operations.
According to Mohammed, such assistance has made police operations easier across the state.
He also praised the IGP for creating an environment where commanders can work with fewer restrictions. “We really thank him. We have never had a good IG like this before.”
Mohammed said Governor Sule’s support has also made a major difference to the command.
“He is one of the best out of them, I’m telling you this. Because he has been doing a lot for the security. Because if you tell him security, he doesn’t turn back.”
The commissioner also urged residents to support the police by providing useful information about suspicious activities.
He said the command protects the identity of people who provide credible intelligence.
“Because this time around, police is your friend. If you see something, say something. If you have any information, credible information, you bring it to the police.”
He disclosed that residents can also contact the command through its toll-free line: 08000011000
The commissioner said stronger public cooperation would help police respond faster to emerging threats.
He also rejected reports circulating online about the alleged killing of a final-year student.
Mohammed said the police had not received confirmation from the university or the student’s family. He urged the public to verify sensitive security reports before sharing them online.
On communal tensions, the commissioner said the command had engaged traditional rulers, youth leaders and other community stakeholders. He said Governor Sule had brought key community leaders together to discuss peace and security.
Mohammed also linked some farmer-herder clashes to the loss of traditional grazing routes.
He explained that blocked routes force cattle herders into farmlands, increasing the risk of conflict.
He called for better management of these routes to reduce tensions between farmers and herders.
Looking ahead, the commissioner said intelligence and public cooperation would remain critical to policing Nasarawa.
He stressed that security agencies cannot work effectively without information from residents and community leaders.
The latest developments underline a broader security effort across the state, combining intelligence, technology, patrols and inter-agency cooperation.
For Mohammed, the goal is clear: reduce crime, protect residents and prevent criminal networks from finding safe routes through Nasarawa.
The commissioner said sustained cooperation between the police, government, communities and other security agencies remains essential.
