Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate in Plateau State, Nigeria, during a series of operations carried out in the early hours of Saturday, according to a statement released on Sunday.
Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, said that Sector 1, Sub‑Sector 12 troops were deployed at Lamingo and acted on credible intelligence about kidnappers operating in Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area. The operation involved raids on suspected hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, which led to the arrest of 11 suspects.
Oteh added that the operation was enhanced by intelligence obtained from two victims who were abducted from the Gwafan community on 18 September. During the preliminary investigation, the victims positively identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abduction.
In a related effort, troops of Sector 3, deployed in Bassa LGA, conducted a cordon‑and‑search operation at about 6:00 pm on Saturday, recovering a locally fabricated rifle and arresting a suspect. Meanwhile, Sector 8 troops in Mangu LGA carried out a confidence‑building patrol along the Tul–Ntam–Angwan Mata–Deng‑Deng axis, apprehending a suspect near the Water Board Area who tried to conceal a weapon. A thorough search of the suspect yielded a locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and a mobile phone.
All arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to unravel the activities of the syndicate and facilitate follow‑on operations to apprehend fleeing members. Major General Maxwell Dangana, Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, commended the troops for their professionalism and timely response, urging them to sustain an aggressive posture to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He also thanked the people of Plateau State for their continued support and cooperation, emphasizing that timely provision of credible information remains critical to the success of ongoing operations. Dangana reassured residents that the operation remains committed to protecting lives and property and strengthening peace and security across the state.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
