By Deborah Nnamdi
Troops of Sector 9, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, have rescued eight kidnapped victims during a coordinated offensive operation in Pandam Forest, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, carried out at about 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence on the presence of suspected kidnappers operating within the forest, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh.
The statement said the troops came under sporadic gunfire from the suspected kidnappers as they closed in on their hideout, prompting a fierce exchange of fire as the criminals attempted to escape.
During the confrontation, three kidnapped victims managed to flee from their captors. Troops subsequently intensified clearance and exploitation operations across the forest, leading to the rescue of five additional victims.
“Subsequent exploitation and thorough combing of the forest by the troops led to the rescue of five additional abducted victims, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to eight,” the statement said.
The military confirmed that all eight rescued victims were safe and that arrangements were being made to reunite them with their families.
Operation Enduring Peace also disclosed that troops are pursuing the fleeing kidnappers with the aim of arresting or neutralising them.
The successful operation was commended by members of the local communities, who pledged continued cooperation with security agencies by providing credible intelligence to help combat criminal activities.
The Joint Task Force thanked residents for their support and urged the public to continue working with security agencies to restore lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.
