RismadarVoice Reporters, March 3, 2026
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have rescued two kidnapped victims in Plateau State and intercepted a suspected gun runner in Kaduna State during ongoing security operations across their Joint Operations Area.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday March 3, by the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh.
According to the statement, troops deployed at Wase carried out a successful rescue operation around Kukawa in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State. The troops reportedly made contact with suspected kidnappers who were moving the victims to a hideout.
“Troops who were on aggressive fighting patrol of the general area made contact with the criminals while conveying the victims to their hideouts, and they immediately abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had been abducted at gunpoint on February 22, 2026, from Mansur village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The rescued victims have since been debriefed, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families. Troops have also intensified combing operations in surrounding bushes to apprehend the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue other abducted persons.
In a related development, troops deployed at Sanga in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State intercepted a suspected gun runner during a stop-and-search operation at Kurmin Goro village.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Vincent Ibrahim, was allegedly conveying five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan at the time of his arrest. He is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
Reacting to the operations, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, commended the troops for their vigilance and decisive action.
He assured residents of the task force’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area.
