Troops Stop Kidnappers, Save 10 Victims in Plateau and Kaduna

Troops from Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State have stopped several kidnapping attempts. This includes saving a pastor and his wife. They rescued 10 victims in different operations across Plateau and Kaduna states.

Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who speaks for the Joint Military Task Force, shared this news in a statement from Jos on Sunday. He said the operations that rescued the victims happened within the last 48 hours.

He mentioned that the troops launched aggressive searches for suspects who fled. He also said the military is dedicated to keeping highways and communities safe in the Joint Operations Area.

The statement said, "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."

The statement continued, "These swift interventions show the military’s commitment to maintaining security and ensuring the safety of commuters and residents within the operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area."

In Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops from Sector 6 were deployed in Sopp District. They responded to reports of suspected kidnappers blocking the highway along the Hawan Kibo, Rafin Sayin route around 12:30 a.m. on June 5, 2026.

When they got to the scene, the team found an ash-coloured Honda vehicle with registration number APP-93CF left in the middle of the road. The troops quickly started a search and rescue operation in the bushes nearby. This quick action led to the rescue of six kidnapped passengers.

The rescued individuals said they had boarded the vehicle from Lafia in Nasarawa State and were heading to Jos. While these victims are safe, the driver of the vehicle is still missing. The troops are actively searching for him.

At the same time, troops from Sector 5 in Bokkos also had success against crime in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. They responded to a distress call from Faggem Village on June 5, 2026.

Troops quickly moved in and stopped an ongoing kidnapping attempt. The pressure from the troops made the kidnappers abandon their targets and run into a nearby forest. The chase ended with the rescue of a pastor and his wife from 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. A manhunt was also started to track down the fleeing suspects."

In another incident, troops from Sector 7, stationed at Ungwan Gora in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, responded in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026. They acted on reports of suspected terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya.

When they arrived, the troops found that the terrorists had kidnapped some passengers traveling in a commercial vehicle. The troops recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene and moved into the nearby forest on a rescue mission.

Their efforts paid off as they rescued two injured passengers. They are still working to save the other kidnapped occupants of the vehicle. The rescued passengers were quickly taken to a hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical care.

The statement confirmed that Operation Enduring Peace "will not stop its ongoing efforts and decisive actions to clear the highways and communities of criminal elements."