Ten Rescued as Troops Foil Multiple Kidnapping Attempts in Plateau, Kaduna

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Ten kidnapped victims have been rescued by troops of Operation Enduring Peace following a series of operations that foiled multiple kidnapping attempts and disrupted criminal activities in Plateau and Kaduna states over the last 48 hours.

In a statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, the military said the operations led to the rescue of six abducted passengers in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, a pastor and his wife in Bokkos Local Government Area, and two passengers abducted along a highway in Kaduna State. Troops have also intensified effortsto apprehend the fleeing criminals and rescue other victims still in captivity.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 6 deployed in Sopp District responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who had blocked the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin road in Riyom Local Government Area at about 12:30 a.m. on June 5. Upon arrival, soldiers discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned on the highway and immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes.

The operation resulted in the rescue of six passengers who had been abducted while travelling from Lafia, Nasarawa State, to Jos. However, the driver of the vehicle remains missing, and troops are continuing efforts to locate and rescuehim.

In a separate operation, troops of Sector 5 responded to a distress call from Faggem Village in Bokkos Local Government Area and successfully foiled an ongoing abduction. The swift intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into a nearby forest.

The troops subsequently rescued a pastor and his wife, who sustained injuries during the attack. The victims were evacuated to a medical facility in Bokkos for treatment, while a manhunt was launched for the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, troops of Sector 7 deployed at Ungwan Gora in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded to reports of suspected terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya in the early hours of June 6.

On reaching the scene, the troops discovered that some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle had been kidnapped. Security personnel recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition before pursuing the attackers into the adjoining forest.

The operation led to the rescue of two injured passengers, who were evacuated to a hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical attention, while efforts continue to rescue other abducted occupants of the vehicle.

The military reassured residents of its commitment to securing communities and major highways within the joint operations area and urged members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations.