Troops of Sector 9, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, have rescued eight kidnapped victims during a coordinated offensive operation at Pandam Forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24, followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of kidnappers operating within the forest.
According to the Media Information Officer of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the troops launched the operation at about 3:00 a.m. as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and enhance security across the Joint Operations Area.
During the operation, the troops engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle after the criminals opened fire while attempting to flee. Amid the exchange, three of the abducted victims managed to escape from their captors.
Captain Oteh said the troops subsequently carried out an extensive search and exploitation of the forest, leading to the rescue of five additional victims and bringing the total number of rescued persons to eight.
“The rescued victims are currently in safe condition, and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their respective families,” he said.
He added that residents of nearby communities have commended the operation and pledged to continue providing credible information to security agencies to facilitate the arrest of criminal elements operating in the area.
According to the statement, troops are currently pursuing the fleeing kidnappers to apprehend or neutralise them.
Operation ENDURING PEACE expressed appreciation to members of the public for their continued cooperation and urged residents to sustain the flow of timely intelligence to security agencies to disrupt criminal activities and restore lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area. #Securitynewsalert.com
