Soldiers rescue two kidnap victims, arrest 11 suspects in Plateau

Operation Enduring Peace troops have rescued two kidnapping victims and apprehended 12 suspects across Plateau State. Captain Polycarp Oteh, the Media Information Officer for the operation, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday. On Saturday, Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12 troops received intelligence and conducted searches in Rayfield and surrounding areas of Jos North Local Government Area.

They discovered 11 suspects during sweeps of Shere, Gwafan, and Maza Hills. The operation was further supported by information provided by two individuals who had been kidnapped from Gwafan Community on September 18. These victims later identified three suspects as likely members of the group responsible for their abduction.

In Bassa Local Government Area, Sector 3 troops, acting on intelligence about suspicious criminal activities, carried out a search on Saturday around 6 pm. This search led to the arrest of an additional suspect and the seizure of a locally manufactured rifle. Meanwhile, in Mangu Local Government Area, troops intercepted a suspected criminal during a patrol along the Tul, Ntam, Angwan Mata, and Deng-Deng route.

The suspect was apprehended near the Water Board area after attempting to conceal a weapon upon spotting the soldiers. A search of the area uncovered a locally made automatic firearm, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and a mobile phone. All 12 suspects are currently in custody awaiting further investigation. Oteh stated that investigators are working to determine the suspects' roles in the alleged criminal activities, identify other members of the suspected syndicate, and support future operations to apprehend remaining individuals still at large.