Plateau: Troops Nab 11 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Weapons
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered weapons during separate operations in Plateau State.
The operations, conducted on Saturday, September 19, followed credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating in Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Capt. Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The operation was further supported by intelligence obtained from two victims abducted from Gwafan Community on September 18.
The victims, during preliminary investigation, positively identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abduction.
In a related operation at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, troops of Sector 3 deployed in Bassa Local Government Area conducted a cordon-and-search operation based on credible intelligence.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle and the arrest of one suspect.
The military said troops were continuing to dominate the area in an effort to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate.
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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, troops apprehended a suspected criminal around the Water Board Area after he allegedly attempted to conceal a weapon upon sighting them.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a mobile phone.
The statement said all arrested suspects were in custody and undergoing further investigation to establish the activities of the syndicate, identify other members and facilitate follow-up operations against fleeing suspects.
The Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism, dexterity and timely response during the operations.
Dangana directed the troops to sustain their operational momentum and maintain an aggressive posture 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 stakeholders.
The commander stressed that the timely provision of credible information remained critical to ongoing operations against criminal elements and efforts to consolidate peace across the state.
He reassured residents of the operation’s commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening existing peace and security efforts in Plateau State.
By PRNigeria
