RismadarVoice Reporters
Just 7, 2026
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have foiled multiple kidnapping attempts and rescued several victims in coordinated operations across Plateau and Kaduna states, the military said on Saturday.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the operations were carried out within the last 48 hours as part of ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities and secure highways and communities within the Joint Operations Area.
In Plateau State, troops of Sector 6 deployed in Riyom Local Government Area responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who blocked the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin road around 12:30 a.m. on June 5. On arrival, the troops found an abandoned ash-coloured Honda vehicle with registration number APP-93CF on the highway.
A search-and-rescue operation launched immediately after the discovery led to the rescue of six passengers who had been abducted. The victims told security personnel that they boarded the commercial vehicle in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos before the attack.
The military, however, disclosed that the driver of the vehicle remains missing, with troops continuing search efforts to locate and rescue him.
In a separate operation in Bokkos Local Government Area, troops of Sector 5 foiled an attempted abduction after responding to a distress call from Faggem Village.
The intervention forced the kidnappers to flee into a nearby forest, enabling troops to rescue a pastor and his wife who had been targeted by the criminals.
The couple sustained injuries during the attack and were evacuated to a medical facility in Bokkos for treatment, while security operatives launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
Similarly, troops of Sector 7 in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded to reports of suspected terrorists blocking the road between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya in the early hours of June 6.
The troops discovered that some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle had been abducted. During the operation, security personnel recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition and immediately pursued the attackers into the surrounding forest.
The pursuit resulted in the rescue of two injured passengers, who were evacuated to a hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical attention. Efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims believed to be in captivity.
Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against criminal elements and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely intelligence to security agencies.
