Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested a suspected gun runner in separate operations across Plateau and Kaduna states, as security forces intensify efforts to rid communities of criminal elements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the troops recorded the successes during ongoing offensive operations within their Joint Operations Area.
According to the statement, troops deployed at Wase in Plateau State successfully rescued two kidnapped victims around Kukawa in Kanam Local Government Area.
The rescue followed an aggressive fighting patrol in the area, during which soldiers made contact with suspected kidnappers who were transporting the victims to their hideout.
Upon sighting the troops, the criminals reportedly abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted at gunpoint on 22 February 2026 from Mansur village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The statement added that the victims have since been debriefed, and efforts are underway to reunite them with their families.
Troops have continued combing operations in the surrounding bushes to apprehend the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue other abducted persons.
In a related development, troops deployed at Sanga in Kaduna State intercepted a suspected gun runner during a stop-and-search operation at Kurmin Goro village in Sanga Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Vincent Ibrahim, was apprehended while allegedly transporting five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan.
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He is currently in military custody and undergoing interrogation.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, commended the troops for their alertness and decisive action.
He reassured residents of the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the Joint Operations Area.
Operation Enduring Peace continues to sustain offensive and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace in affected communities.
