Troops rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau

Troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 passengers who were kidnapped along the Jos-Mangu Road in Plateau State.

The rescue operation began when troops, conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, discovered an abandoned vehicle on the roadside at Mararraban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area. Suspicious that the vehicle had been used in a kidnapping, the troops launched a search in the surrounding bushes.

Their swift action led to the rescue of the 16 victims, who were found unharmed.

He explained that the kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and fled.

The statement added that troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers, which included six children.

OPSH further maintained that troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident.

He pointed out that the Troops escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos metropolis.

Meanwhile, OPSH troops were on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the gun duel.

OPSH reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, while troops remained motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.