Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Plateau

2026-03-03 - 11:58

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have rescued two kidnapped victims in Plateau State and arrested a suspected gunrunner in Kaduna State in separate successful operations. Our correspondent reports that the rescue operation occurred around Kukawa in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, where troops on aggressive fighting patrol made contact with criminals conveying the victims to their hideouts. Upon sighting the troops, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted at gunpoint on February 22, 2026, from Mansur village in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The victims have been debriefed, and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families. Troops have also intensified combing of the bushes to apprehend the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue other victims. In a related development, troops deployed at Sanga in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State intercepted a suspected gunrunner during a stop-and-search operation at Kurmin Goro village. The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim, was nabbed while conveying five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan. He is currently in custody undergoing interrogation. In a statement issued and signed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, commended the troops for their alertness and decisive action. He assured citizens of the troops’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.