Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate during separate operations in Plateau State, recovering locally fabricated weapons and ammunition.
The operations, carried out in parts of Jos North, Bassa and Mangu Local Government Areas, also led to the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, an automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a mobile phone.
In a statement issued on 20 September 2026, CHINONSO POLYCARP OTEH, Captain, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, said the operations followed credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating within the Joint Operations Area.
The first operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 19 September 2026, by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Lamingo.
Acting on intelligence about suspected kidnappers operating around Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area, the troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The operation was further aided by information obtained from two victims who had been kidnapped from Gwafan Community on 18 September 2026.
During preliminary investigation, the victims identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abduction.
In a separate operation at about 6:00pm on 19 September, troops of Sector 3 deployed in Bassa Local Government Area conducted a cordon-and-search operation based on credible intelligence.
The operation resulted in the recovery of one locally fabricated rifle and the arrest of a suspect, while troops continued to dominate the area in an effort to track down other suspected members of the group.
Similarly, troops of Sector 8 deployed in Mangu Local Government Area conducted a confidence-building patrol along the Tul–Ntam–Angwan Mata–Deng-Deng axis.
During the patrol, troops apprehended a suspected criminal around the Water Board Area after he allegedly attempted to conceal a weapon on sighting the soldiers.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one mobile phone.
The suspects remain in custody and are undergoing further investigation as troops work to establish the activities of the syndicate, identify other members and track down fleeing suspects.
The Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for what he described as professionalism, dexterity and timely response during the operations.
He directed the troops to sustain the momentum of the operations and maintain pressure on criminal elements to deny them freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.
Major General Dangana also appreciated the people of Plateau State and other stakeholders for their continued support and cooperation, stressing that timely and credible information remained critical to ongoing efforts against criminal activities.
He reassured residents of the state of Operation ENDURING PEACE’s commitment to protecting lives and property while consolidating peace and security across Plateau State.
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