Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have thwarted multiple kidnapping attempts and rescued several victims in coordinated operations across Plateau and Kaduna states, dealing fresh blows to criminal gangs operating along key highways and communities in the North-Central region.
The military said the successful interventions, carried out within the last 48 hours, led to the rescue of kidnapped passengers, a pastor and his wife, while troops have intensified manhunts for fleeing suspects and efforts to locate other victims still in captivity.
In Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops of Sector 6 deployed in Sopp District responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who had blocked the Hawan Kibo-Rafin Sayin road around 12:30 a.m. on June 5, 2026.
According to a statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE., troops arrived at the scene and discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle with registration number APP-93CF abandoned on the highway. A search-and-rescue operation launched immediately in nearby bushes led to the rescue of six kidnapped passengers.
The victims reportedly told troops they had boarded the commercial vehicle in Lafiya, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos before they were abducted. However, the driver of the vehicle remains unaccounted for, with troops continuing efforts to locate and rescue him.
In a separate operation in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops of Sector 5 responded to a distress call from Faggem Village on June 5 and disrupted an ongoing kidnapping attempt.
The military said the swift deployment forced the criminals to abandon their victims and flee into a nearby forest. During the operation, troops rescued a pastor and his wife who had been abducted by the suspects.
The couple reportedly sustained injuries during the attack and were evacuated to the Bokkos Medical Clinic for treatment. Security forces have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing kidnappers.
Similarly, troops of Sector 7 stationed at Ungwan Gora in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded in the early hours of June 6 to reports that suspected terrorists had blocked the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya.
On reaching the location, troops discovered that some passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle had already been kidnapped.
The soldiers recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene before pursuing the attackers into the adjoining forest.
The pursuit resulted in the rescue of two injured passengers, who were subsequently evacuated to a hospital in Fadan Karshi District for medical treatment.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue other abducted occupants of the vehicle.
Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents and road users within its area of responsibility.
The task force also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and actionable intelligence to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
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