Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE on Sunday, September 20, arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and rescued two abducted victims during separate operations in Plateau state.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who disclosed this in a statement said the troops also recovered weapons during the operations.
“Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Lamingo, rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered weapons during separate operations within the Joint Operations Area of Plateau state” he said
The operations, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, followed credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers operating in Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The operation was further enhanced by intelligence obtained from two kidnapped victims who were abducted from Gwafan Community on September 18.
“During preliminary investigation, the victims positively identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction,” he added.
In another operation, troops of Sector 3 deployed in Bassa Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a cordon-and-search operation at about 6 p.m. on September 19.
The operation led to the recovery of one locally fabricated rifle and the arrest of a suspect.
“Troops are currently dominating the general area to possibly apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate,” he said
Similarly, troops of Sector 8 deployed in Mangu Local Government Area conducted a confidence-building patrol along the Tul-Ntam-Angwan Mata-Deng-Deng axis.
During the patrol, the troops apprehended a suspected criminal around the water board area who attempted to conceal a weapon upon sighting them.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a mobile phone.
The arrested suspects were in custody and undergoing further investigation and exploitation to unravel the activities of the syndicate and identify other members, with a view to facilitating follow-on operations to apprehend fleeing suspects.
The commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism, dexterity and timely response during the operations.
Dangana charged them to sustain the aggressive posture and maintain the momentum of the operation to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.
He also appreciated the continued support and cooperation of the people of Plateau state and other relevant stakeholders.
The commander emphasised that the timely provision of credible information remained critical to the success of ongoing operations against criminal elements and efforts to consolidate peace across the state.
Dangana further reassured the people of Plateau state of Operation ENDURING PEACE’s commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening existing peace and security efforts across the state.
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