Troops foil kidnap attempts, rescue 10 victims in Plateau, Kaduna
By Golok Nanmwa
JOS — Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled multiple kidnapping attempts and rescued 10 victims during separate operations in Plateau and Kaduna states.
The military said the operations, conducted within the last 48 hours, also triggered manhunts for criminal elements who fled after the attacks.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Jos.
According to Oteh, troops of Sector 5 operating in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State thwarted an attempted abduction in Faggem Village after responding to a distress call. The troops swiftly mobilised to the area, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into a nearby forest.
The operation led to the rescue of a pastor and his wife who had been abducted by the attackers.
The couple reportedly sustained injuries during the incident and were evacuated to Bokkos Medical Clinic for treatment, while troops launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation, Oteh said troops of Sector 6 deployed in Sopp District of Riyom Local Government Area responded to reports of suspected kidnappers blocking the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin highway at about 12:30 a.m. on June 5.
On arrival, troops found an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned on the road and immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes. The operation resulted in the rescue of six kidnapped passengers.
The victims told security operatives they had boarded the commercial vehicle in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos when they were abducted.
Oteh said the driver of the vehicle remains missing, adding that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue him.
Similarly, troops of Sector 7 deployed at Ungwan Gora in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded to reports of armed men blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya in the early hours of Saturday.
Upon reaching the scene, troops discovered that passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle had been abducted.
The military recovered eight empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition and immediately launched a pursuit operation into the surrounding forest.
The operation led to the rescue of two injured passengers, while efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue other occupants of the vehicle.
The rescued victims were evacuated to a hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical treatment.
Oteh reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Enduring Peace to sustaining offensive operations against criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents and travellers within its area of responsibility.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.
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