Odita Sunday 
Army Rescues Kidnap Victim, Recovers N8m Ransom in Plateau Forest Operation
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered N8 million ransom paid by her family during a targeted operation in Quanpan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The military disclosed this in a statement on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who said the operation was executed on April 25, 2026.
According to Oteh, the rescue followed the abduction of a female victim from Bauna area in Shendam Local Government Area on April 19, which triggered a swift intelligence-driven response by troops.
He stated that a breakthrough was achieved after the arrest and interrogation of a suspect linked to the crime, who provided critical information on the victim’s whereabouts.
“Through rigorous intelligence gathering and interrogation of an arrested suspect who confessed to the crime, troops were able to identify the victim’s location at Padam Forest in Quanpan Local Government Area,” he said.
Oteh noted that troops immediately mobilised to the forest location, where they successfully rescued the victim during a coordinated operation aimed at neutralising the kidnappers’ network.
He further revealed that the troops recovered the sum of N8 million, which had earlier been paid by the victim’s family as ransom.
“The operation also resulted in the recovery of the sum of 8 million naira, which was previously paid by the victim’s family as ransom to the kidnappers,” he added.
The statement indicated that the victim was taken to General Hospital, Shendam, for medical attention before being reunited with her family.
“Following the rescue, the victim underwent a thorough medical check-up to ensure her well-being before being officially reunited with her family. The ransom amount was returned to the family,” Oteh said.
The military said troops had commenced follow-up operations in the area to apprehend other members of the syndicate and dismantle their hideouts.
“Troops are currently conducting exploitation operations of the kidnappers’ hideouts within Quanpan and Shendam LGAs to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate,” the statement added.
Oteh called on residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to enhance ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.
“Operation ENDURING PEACE appreciates the citizenry for their support and calls for more timely information that would assist in maintaining peace and security,” he stated.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained a major security challenge in parts of the country, but recent operations by security forces have increasingly focused on intelligence gathering and financial disruption of criminal groups.
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