Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have rescued seven travellers who were abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Riyom highway in Plateau State after a swift military intervention forced the assailants to abandon their captives.
Security sources attached to Operation Enduring Peace, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, disclosed that the rescue operation followed a distress call received at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday near Sopp village in Riyom Local Government Area.
According to the sources, soldiers deployed under Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace responded immediately to the emergency report and arrived at the location within a short time.
On reaching the scene, the troops discovered a blue Opel Vectra abandoned in the middle of the road with no occupants inside, prompting them to launch an extensive search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding forest.
The sources explained that while combing the bush, the troops encountered the suspected kidnappers, leading to an exchange that forced the criminals to flee deeper into the forest.
Faced with sustained military pressure, the kidnappers reportedly abandoned the victims and escaped, allowing the troops to secure their safe rescue.
The rescued travellers were identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Babagida Ishaku, Mr Auwulu Haruna, Dung Jerry Dang, Anas Idris, Hussaini Mohammed, Idris Abdullahi and Mrs Kangyang Sunday.
According to the sources, all seven victims were rescued alive and without physical injuries.
During preliminary questioning, the victims reportedly informed the troops that they had boarded the vehicle in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos, Plateau State, when armed men intercepted them along the highway and took them into the bush.
The security sources said the victims expressed relief over the prompt response of the troops, noting that the intervention prevented what could have become a prolonged period in captivity.
Following the successful rescue, the victims were taken to safety for medical checks and debriefing before being reunited with their families.
The military has since intensified efforts to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
According to the sources, additional troops have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests while intelligence gathering has been strengthened to identify members of the criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The sources further disclosed that Operation Enduring Peace has continued to sustain aggressive security operations across Plateau State to curb kidnapping, armed attacks and other criminal activities.
They noted that troops have maintained routine patrols within the Joint Operations Area to safeguard commuters travelling along major highways and protect schools, places of worship and other critical national infrastructure.
The operation, they added, forms part of ongoing efforts to improve security across Plateau State and reassure residents of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
They also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations against criminal elements operating within the state.
