Defense and Security
Troops Foil Highway Kidnap, Rescue Seven Travellers in Plateau After Gun Battle
Seven travellers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Riyom highway in Plateau State have been rescued by troops of Operation Enduring Peace following a swift military operation.
Security sources familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday near Sopp village in Riyom Local Government Area.
According to the sources, troops under Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace responded immediately after receiving a distress call. Upon arrival, they discovered a blue Opel Vectra abandoned in the middle of the road with no occupants, prompting an extensive search-and-rescue mission in the surrounding bush.
During the operation, the troops reportedly engaged the suspected kidnappers, who fled into the forest under sustained military pressure, abandoning their captives.
The rescued victims were identified as ASP Babagida Ishaku, Mr Auwulu Haruna, Dung Jerry Dang, Anas Idris, Hussaini Mohammed, Idris Abdullahi, and Mrs Kangyang Sunday.
The victims told security personnel they had boarded the vehicle in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos when armed men intercepted their vehicle along the Riyom highway and abducted them.
Vanguard report that the sources said all seven victims were rescued unharmed, while efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The sources added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace have continued routine patrols across the Joint Operations Area to protect commuters, schools, places of worship and other critical national infrastructure as part of sustained efforts to improve security across Plateau State.