Troops Repel Bandit Attack in Plateau, Rescue 31 Hostages, Arrest 17 Suspects Nationwide
Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major operational successes across several states, foiling a planned bandit attack in Plateau State, neutralising armed criminals, rescuing 31 kidnapped victims and arresting 17 suspects in coordinated operations nationwide.
In Plateau State, troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), thwarted an attempted attack on communities in Wase Local Government Area during an intelligence-led ambush in the early hours of January 1, 2026. The troops engaged bandits who had mobilised from Dutsen Zaki toward Odare Forest with the intention of launching attacks on nearby settlements.
During the firefight, five bandits were neutralised, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered two AK-47 rifle magazines loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, as well as two machetes and a knife. Security forces are continuing operations to track down the fleeing suspects.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, reassured residents of Plateau State and other areas within the division’s responsibility of the military’s resolve to safeguard lives and property. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, while warning criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face decisive military action.
Meanwhile, in a series of coordinated operations across other parts of the country within the last 24 hours, the Nigerian Army arrested 17 criminal suspects, rescued 31 kidnapped victims and recovered weapons and ammunition.
Read Also:
In Zamfara State, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 5 at Forward Operating Base Moriki, working alongside local hunters, responded to a distress call at Kadage Village in Maradun Local Government Area. On sighting the troops, the terrorists abandoned 25 kidnapped victims and fled into surrounding bushes. The rescued victims were safely reunited with their families.
In Delta State, troops of 63 Brigade acting on intelligence arrested a suspected cultist and kidnapper terrorising Ezuokwu Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area, along with 11 accomplices. Subsequent raids led to the arrest of a herbalist and the recovery of two pump-action guns and five cartridges. A suspected drug peddler was also apprehended with crystal meth, smoking pipes and Indian hemp. All suspects and exhibits are currently in military custody.
In Kogi State, troops of 12 Brigade rescued five kidnapped victims during fighting patrols around Ankomi Village and the Adankolo area of Lokoja Local Government Area. During exploitation of abandoned settlements, two decomposed bodies were discovered, with evacuation efforts ongoing. In a related operation, troops earlier engaged suspected violent extremists along the Ayere–Kabba Road, rescued an injured driver and continue to maintain dominance of the route through aggressive patrols.
In Kaduna State, troops of Sector 5, Operation ENDURING PEACE, arrested a suspected kidnapper at Jagindi Kagom Village in Jema’a Local Government Area, while in Nasarawa State, troops of Sector 2, Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested two suspected kidnappers in Keana Local Government Area and handed them over to the police for prosecution.
Similarly, in Taraba State, troops of Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a kidnapping incident in Kurmi Local Government Area and successfully rescued one victim, who has since been reunited with family members.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations to deny criminal elements freedom of action, while calling on citizens to continue supporting security agencies with actionable intelligence to enhance peace and stability across the country.
By PRNigeria
