Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 12 suspected criminals and recovered weapons in separate security operations across Plateau State.
The operations, carried out by troops of Sectors 1, 3 and 8 of the Joint Task Force, followed credible intelligence on the activities of kidnapping and criminal syndicates operating in parts of the state, particularly within Jos North, Bassa and Mangu Local Government Areas.
The Media Information Officer of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the successful operations underscored the commitment of the task force to maintaining peace and security across Plateau State.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, deployed at Lamingo, conducted raids on suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills in Jos North Local Government Area in the early hours of September 19, leading to the arrest of 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate.
The operation was aided by intelligence obtained from two kidnapped victims who had been abducted from Gwafan Community on September 18. During preliminary investigations, the victims reportedly identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction.
In a related operation, troops of Sector 3 deployed in Bassa Local Government Area conducted a cordon-and-search mission based on credible intelligence. The operation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle and the arrest of one suspect. Security forces have since intensified patrols in the area to track down other members of the criminal network.
Similarly, troops of Sector 8 on confidence-building patrol along the Tul–Ntam–Angwan Mata–Deng-Deng axis in Mangu Local Government Area apprehended a suspect who allegedly attempted to conceal a weapon after sighting the troops.
A search of the suspect resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a mobile phone.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending other members of the syndicates.
Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response, urging them to sustain the operational momentum against criminal elements across the state.
Dangana also appreciated residents and stakeholders for their cooperation, stressing that the provision of timely and credible information remains vital to ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and security in Plateau State.
He reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening ongoing peace-building initiatives across the state. Authority.
