March 03, (THEWILL) — Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have rescued two kidnapped victims abducted from Bauchi State and intercepted a suspected gun runner conveying fabricated rifles in separate operations conducted in Plateau and Kaduna states.
The rescue operation was carried out by troops deployed at Wase, who were on patrol around Kukawa in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, stated that the troops made contact with the kidnappers while they were conveying the victims to their hideout.
On sighting the advancing troops, the “criminals” reportedly abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted at gunpoint on February 22, 2026, from Mansur village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The victims have since been debriefed, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.
Troops have continued combing the surrounding bushes to apprehend the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue other abducted persons, the statement added.
In a related development, troops deployed at Sanga in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State intercepted a suspected gun runner during a stop-and-search operation at Kurmin Goro village.
The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim, was apprehended while allegedly transporting five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan.
He is currently in military custody and undergoing interrogation.
Reacting to the successful operations, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, commended the troops for their alertness and decisive action.
He reassured residents within the Joint Operations Area of the task force’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to continue to provide credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing security operations.
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