December 16, (THEWILL) — Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), have dismantled several kidnap rings and rescued abducted victims in Kaduna and Plateau States, recording major operational successes against criminal elements during coordinated operations conducted between December 11 and 13, 2025.
A statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer, JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, said the operations were carried out under Operation PEACE SHIELD and targeted notorious kidnappers, bandits, and gunrunners responsible for persistent abductions, armed robbery, and other violent crimes within the joint operations area.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 5 (Sub-Sector 4) on December 11 conducted an offensive clearance operation on identified kidnappers’ hideouts in Dangoma and Godogodo villages, Jema’a Local Government Area.
During the operation, troops engaged the criminals in a firefight, neutralising three notorious kidnappers, while other gang members fled with gunshot wounds. Troops are currently pursuing the fleeing suspects.
In a related operation on December 12, troops of Sector 1 (Sub-Sector 1) carried out a covert mission in Plateau State, intercepting a notorious bandit, kidnapper, and gunrunner along the Jebbu–Gada Biu Road in Bassa Local Government Area.
The suspect, linked to several kidnapping and armed robbery cases in Bassa and Jos North LGAs, was neutralised after opening fire on troops. Recovered items included a pistol, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, a dagger, a mobile phone, and a large sum of money.
The military also foiled a planned attack on December 13 at Gidan-Saki village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State after troops acted on credible intelligence. The swift response forced the criminals to abandon their mission and retreat into surrounding bushes, with efforts ongoing to track and arrest them.
On the same day, troops of Sector 1 deployed at Jengre in Plateau State rescued four kidnapped victims following an ambush operation along the bandits’ withdrawal route after an abduction at Rimi Village, Jere District, Bassa LGA.
One kidnapper was neutralised during the exchange of fire, while others fled, abandoning the victims.
Items recovered from the encounter included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed and reunited with their families.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across the joint operations area.
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