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.
Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has warned Nigerians against repeating what he described as the mistake of voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in previous elections.
Lamido gave the warning while speaking at the inauguration of the PDP Campaign Council, held at the party’s state headquarters in Dutse, Jigawa State.
He urged Nigerians to critically assess the performance of previous PDP administrations and compare it with that of the current administration before making their choices in the 2027 general elections.
“I believe Nigerians have learnt from their mistakes. Therefore, they must critically examine the achievements of previous administrations under the PDP and compare them with those of the current administration before deciding who should lead them,” he said.
Lamido accused the APC-led administration of failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians, saying the country and Jigawa State needed experienced and competent leaders to address their challenges.
He also criticised the APC administration, alleging that citizens in the state and across the country had suffered setbacks in healthcare, education and other critical sectors.
“Today, Jigawa is facing serious challenges in accessing quality healthcare. Hospitals lack adequate medical services and essential drugs, while the education sector continues to deteriorate,” he said.
Lamido described the PDP as a major force in Nigeria’s political history, noting that many political leaders began their careers under the party.
“Since 1999, almost all political parties have collapsed, leaving the PDP as the only surviving party to date,” he said.
“It has seen yesterday, Today and, by the grace of God, it will see tomorrow,” Lamido added.
He further assured party supporters that the PDP was prepared to campaign for its candidates at all levels, including the presidency, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
He pledged that the party would conduct peaceful campaigns without insults, intimidation or personal attacks, stressing that its major objective was to restore good governance and public confidence in leadership.
Suspected gunmen on Friday reportedly killed two persons at a mining site in Burdinga, Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement on Friday, the spokesman for Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, condemned the attack on the miners.
Mr Tengwong identified the victims as Goodluck Bulus and Emmanuel Monday.
He noted that Mr Bulu’s father was killed by suspected gunmen a decade ago.
“The apparent repetition of tragedy within the same family underscores the devastating human cost of persistent insecurity and the urgent need to end this cycle of violence,” Mr Tengwong said.
The group said it was concerned by the abduction and subsequent killing of Pam Dachung Kim, a native of Gwol Hoss gunmen on Tuesday while returning from his workplace at Rahoss Primary School.
“That a person could be targeted while returning from work is a disturbing reminder that ordinary residents continue to face grave risks in their daily activities,” he said.
The state police spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, didn’t immediately respond to the Peoples Gazette comment on the issue.
Barely six days ago, suspected gunmen killed three miners at a mining site in the Janus area of Kazok village, Gashish district, Barkin Ladi area of the state.
On June 16, gunmen reportedly killed five miners at a mining site in Gero village, Gy district of Jos South Local Government area of the state.