SOLDIERS FOIL KIDNAP ATTEMPTS, RESCUE 10 VICTIMS IN PLATEAU, KADUNA

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled several kidnapping attempts in Plateau State, including the abduction of a pastor and his wife, while rescuing 10 victims during separate operations conducted in Plateau and Kaduna states.

The spokesperson for the Joint Military Task Force, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Jos on Sunday, noting that the rescue missions were carried out within the last 48 hours and resulted in the successful recovery of the victims.

The statement read: “In a series of decisive operations conducted over the last 48 hours, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have successfully foiled multiple kidnapping attempts, rescued several victims, and launched aggressive manhunts for fleeing criminal elements across Plateau and Kaduna states.

These swift interventions underscore the unwavering commitment of the military to maintaining security and guaranteeing 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 12:30 a.m. on June 5, 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.

Troops immediately launched a thorough search and rescue operation in the surrounding bushes. This rapid response led to the successful rescue of six kidnapped passengers.

“The rescued individuals revealed that they had boarded the commercial vehicle from Lafia, 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.

Simultaneously, troops of Sector 5 operating in Bokkos also recorded another victory against criminality 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 flee into a nearby forest. The chase led troops to successfully rescue a pastor and his wife from the clutches of the kidnappers.”

The statement added, “The couple, who sustained injuries during the initial assault by the criminals, were promptly evacuated by the troops to Bokkos Medical Clinic for treatment, while a manhunt was also initiated to track down the fleeing suspects.

In a related development, troops of Sector 7, deployed at Ungwan Gora in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026, responded to reports of suspected terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya.

“Upon arrival, troops discovered that the terrorists had kidnapped some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle.