Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have neutralised three suspected kidnappers during a failed ransom collection operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation followed the abduction of Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division Garrison on Aug. 2 along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi.
The soldier, who was travelling to Abuja without official clearance, was kidnapped by armed criminals while in transit.
In a statement quoted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Tuesday, the troops of Sector 6 OPSH, in collaboration with the EIB STRATOC team, launched a coordinated operation on Monday around Farin Lamba, Maraban Jema’a, and Ganawuri in Jos South and Riyom LGAs.
According to the statement, the troops had earlier tracked ransom negotiations to the Kwakwi area of Riyom LGA, where relatives of the victim had dropped off the sum of N500,000 demanded by the kidnappers.
At about 5:35 p.m., a suspect was observed with a bag suspected to contain the ransom money en route to a POS shop.
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Troops monitored the suspect as he diverted through a bush path to link up with his gang.
On noticing he was being trailed, the suspect raised an alarm, prompting other members of the syndicate to flee.
The troops pursued and engaged them, killing three of the suspects.
Recovered from the scene were N312,000 in cash, two knives, three mobile phones, and one AirPod device.
“The kidnapped soldier reportedly took advantage of the commotion to free himself and safely rejoined his unit.,” the statement added.
