Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled multiple kidnap attempts and rescued victims across Plateau and Kaduna states.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the operation’s spokesman, Chinonso Oteh, who said the successful operations were conducted within the last 48 hours.
According to him, the swift interventions underscore the military’s unwavering commitment to maintaining security and ensuring the safety of commuters and residents within the Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area.
“At Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops of Sector 6 deployed in Sopp District responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who blocked the highway along the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin axis at approximately 12:30am of 5 June 2026.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the tactical team discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle with registration number APP-93CF abandoned in the middle of the road,” he added.
Mr Oteh added that the troops launched a thorough search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes, which led to the successful rescue of six kidnapped passengers.
“The rescued individuals revealed that they had boarded the commercial vehicle from Lafiya, Nasarawa State, and were bound for Jos. While these victims are safe, the driver of the vehicle remains missing, and troops are maintaining an active search to locate and rescue him,” he said.
Similarly, troops of Sector 5 operating in Bokkos recorded another success against criminal elements in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Responding to an urgent distress call from Faggem Village on June 5, 2026, troops swiftly mobilised and foiled an ongoing abduction attempt, as the operational pressure forced the criminals to abandon their targets and fled into nearby forest,” the statement added.
Mr Oteh said the pursuit enabled troops to rescue a pastor and his wife from the kidnappers.
“The couple, who sustained injuries during the initial assault by the criminals, were promptly evacuated by the troops to Bokkos medical clinic for treatment,” he said.
He added that a manhunt to track down the fleeing suspects had been launched.
Also, in Ungwan Gora, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops of Sector 7 were deployed in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026, following reports of terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya.
According to him, upon arrival, the troops discovered that the terrorists kidnapped some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle.
He said eight empty 7.62mm special ammunition cartridges were recovered at the scene, after which troops immediately plunged into the adjoining forest on a rescue mission.
“The pursuit yielded immediate results as troops rescued two injured passengers while efforts are currently ongoing to rescue other kidnapped occupants of the vehicle.
“The rescued passengers were swiftly evacuated to a nearby hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical attention,” he said.
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