By Uche Onyeali
Troops of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Operation SAFE HAVEN, OPSH, rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along Jos-Mangu road in Plateau State.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Zhakom.
According to Major Zhakom, the rescue operation began when troops conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A discovered an empty vehicle abandoned by the roadside at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area at about 9pm on April 13
On sighting the scene, the troops immediately searched the nearby bushes to trace the occupants of the vehicle suspected to have been kidnapped.
“The kidnappers, on sighting the troops opened fire, but troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.
“Troops exploited the general area and rescued the 16 abducted passengers which include six children.
“Troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident. Thereafter, they escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos Metropolis.
“Meanwhile, troops are on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter,” the statement said.
