In a significant blow to criminal syndicates operating within the North Central region, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE successfully rescued a female kidnap victim and recovered the sum of 8 million Naira paid as ransom.
The successful operation, carried out on Saturday, 25 April 2026, highlights the ongoing commitment of the Nigerian Army to neutralising threats and protecting citizens within the Joint Operations Area.
The rescue mission was initiated following the abduction of a female citizen from the Bauna area of Shendam Local Government Area on 19 April 2026. Following the incident, military personnel engaged in rigorous intelligence-gathering efforts and the interrogation of a suspect already in custody. The suspect’s subsequent confession provided the critical breakthrough needed to pinpoint the victim’s location deep within the Padam Forest, situated in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
“The success of this mission is a testament to the precision and dedication of our troops deployed in Sector 9 Shendam,” stated Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the Media Information Officer for Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE. “Through a combination of strategic intelligence and swift tactical execution, we were able to identify the victim’s location and secure her release from a high-risk environment.”
In a rare and notable development, the operation also led to the recovery of 8 million Naira ($8,000,000$). The funds had been previously paid by the victim’s family to the kidnappers in a desperate bid to secure her freedom. Captain Oteh confirmed that the military took immediate steps to ensure the family was made whole, noting that the recovered ransom amount has been officially returned to them in full.
Upon her rescue, the victim was transported to the General Hospital Shendam for a comprehensive medical evaluation to ensure her physical and psychological well-being. After being cleared by medical professionals, she was officially reunited with her family.
“This operation underscores the military’s firm stance on dismantling criminal networks and our refusal to let kidnappers profit from their illicit activities,” Captain Oteh added. “We are currently conducting exploitation operations across the hideouts in Qua’an Pan and Shendam LGAs to ensure that every member of this syndicate is apprehended and brought to justice.”
Operation ENDURING PEACE continues to express its gratitude to the local community for its ongoing support and remains steadfast in its call for timely, actionable information to help maintain peace and security across the state. #Securitynewsalert.com
