Troops rescue two kidnap victims, arrest 12 suspects in Plateau
Troops involved in Operation Enduring Peace have successfully rescued two kidnapping victims and arrested 12 suspects in separate operations conducted across Plateau State. Captain Polycarp Oteh, the operation’s Media Information Officer, made the announcement in a statement issued on Sunday.
Oteh reported that the first operation occurred on Saturday, when soldiers from Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, acted on intelligence regarding suspected kidnappers in the Rayfield area and other parts of the Jos North Local Government Area. The troops searched several locations in Shere, Gwafan, and Maza Hills, resulting in the detention of 11 suspects.
The operation was informed by testimonies from two individuals who had been kidnapped from Gwafan Community on September 18. The victims were able to identify three of their alleged captors as members of the kidnapping group.
In a separate operation in the Bassa Local Government Area, troops from Sector 3 conducted a search based on intelligence regarding criminal activities. This operation, which took place around 6 p.m. on Saturday, led to the arrest of an additional suspect and the recovery of a locally manufactured rifle.
Moreover, the military reported that during a patrol in the Mangu Local Government Area, troops intercepted another suspect near the Water Board area. The suspect was apprehended after attempting to conceal a weapon upon noticing the soldiers. A search revealed a locally fabricated automatic firearm, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and a mobile phone.
All 12 suspects are currently in custody for further investigation. Oteh stated that investigators are working to ascertain the suspects’ involvement in the alleged criminal activities, identify other potential members of the syndicate, and assist in further operations to apprehend additional individuals still at large.
