By ZAKAA LAZARUS
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons during separate operations across Plateau State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, deployed at Lamingo, carried out the operation in the early hours of Saturday, 19 September 2026, following credible intelligence on kidnappers operating within Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The operation, the statement added, was enhanced by intelligence obtained from two victims who were abducted from Gwafan Community on 18 September 2026. During preliminary investigation, the victims positively identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction.
In a related development, at about 6:00pm on 19 September, troops of Sector 3, deployed in Bassa Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a cordon-and-search operation which led to the recovery of one locally fabricated rifle and arrest of a suspect.
Similarly, troops of Sector 8, deployed in Mangu Local Government Area, conducted a confidence-building patrol along the Tul–Ntam–Angwan Mata–Deng-Deng axis. During the patrol, troops apprehended a suspect around the Water Board Area who attempted to conceal a weapon on sighting troops. A search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one mobile phone.
The statement said the arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to unravel the activities of the syndicate and facilitate follow-on operations.
Meanwhile, the Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, has commended troops for their professionalism and timely response.
He charged them to sustain the aggressive posture and deny criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.
General Dangana also appreciated the support of the people of Plateau State, noting that timely provision of credible information remains critical to ongoing operations.
He reassured residents of the unwavering commitment of Operation ENDURING PEACE to protect lives and property and consolidate peace across the state.
