Troops Rescue Eight Kidnapped Victims in Plateau Forest Operation

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

Troops from Sector 9 of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace rescued eight kidnapped individuals during a planned offensive in Pandam Forest, located in the Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The information was released in a statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, and presented to reporters in Jos on Friday.

According to the statement, the operation began at approximately 3:00 am on Wednesday after reliable intelligence indicated that suspected kidnappers were present in the forest.

The troops engaged the suspects in a firefight after coming under sporadic gunfire as the kidnappers tried to evade arrest.

During the exchange, three of the abducted victims managed to escape from their captors, while the soldiers intensified exploitation and clearance operations throughout the forest.

“Subsequent exploitation and thorough combing of the forest by the troops led to the rescue of five additional abducted victims, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to eight,” the statement read.

It added that the rescued victims were in safe condition and that efforts were underway to reunite them with their families.

The military further noted that the successful operation had earned commendation from local community members, who expressed willingness to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible information to aid the arrest of criminal elements.

The statement also mentioned that troops were currently pursuing the fleeing kidnappers with the aim of apprehending or neutralising them.

Operation Enduring Peace thanked citizens for their cooperation and urged continued support to disrupt criminal activities and restore lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.