Troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State have thwarted multiple kidnap attempts, including the abduction of a pastor and his wife, and rescued 10 victims in separate operations across Plateau and Kaduna states.
Spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who disclosed this in a statement released in Jos on Sunday, said the operations that led to the rescue of the victims were carried out within the last 48 hours.
He said the “decisive operations” launched aggressive manhunts for fleeing suspects while reaffirming the military’s commitment to securing highways and communities within its Joint Operations Area.
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 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 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 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.
“Troops recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene and 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.”
The statement reaffirmed that Operation Enduring Peace “will not relent in its ongoing deliberate efforts and decisive operations to rid the highways and communities of criminal elements.”