By Micah Jonah
January 8, 2026
Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Plateau State, neutralizing suspects, recovering weapons during a coordinated operation.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, following credible intelligence. Troops targeted a location near Lantom Village in Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area, with the aim of disrupting kidnapping and armed robbery activities in the area.
During the initial raid, four suspects were arrested, while troops recovered a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete. Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to recent criminal activities in the district. Two other accomplices reportedly escaped during the operation, fleeing with an AK-47 rifle.
According to military sources, the arrested suspects later volunteered information on the location of a hidden arms cache and agreed to lead troops to the site. However, while guiding troops to the outskirts of Kadarko, the suspects attempted to disarm a soldier in a bid to escape, were decisively neutralized by the troops.
Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fleeing gang members and recover the missing AK-47 rifle.
The General Officer, Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, commended the troops for their professionalism, bravery, and commitment to maintaining peace within the Joint Operations Area. He also stressed that cooperation from law-abiding citizens remains critical to the success of ongoing security operations.
Troops of 3 Division and JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Plateau State and beyond.
