Troops rescue 2 kidnap victims in Plateau, intensify offensive against criminals

The Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), said troops have intensified operations against criminal elements across Plateau state, rescuing two kidnapped victims in separate operations in Bassa and Kanam local government areas.

The military said the operations were part of sustained efforts to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action and restore peace across the Joint Operations Area.

In the first operation, troops of Sector 3 deployed in Bassa local government area acted on credible intelligence concerning the abduction of Mr Ndubuisi Onuigbo and launched a search-and-rescue operation.

The operation, carried out at about 9 a.m.  Tuesday, led to the successful rescue of the victim.

Similarly, troops of Sector 2, deployed at Kukawa village in Kanam local government area, rescued another kidnap victim, Mallam Sambo Abdullahi, following an encounter with suspected terrorist elements during a fighting patrol in the early hours of Wednesday.

A statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the troops engaged and aggressively pursued the fleeing suspects, who abandoned their captive.

“Troops aggressively pursued the terrorists, leading to the immediate rescue of a kidnapped victim, Mallam Sambo Abdullahi, who was abandoned by the fleeing terrorists,” the statement said.

The military added that both victims had been debriefed and reunited with their families.

The commander, Major General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism and decisive action in disrupting criminal activities across the state.

He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information.