Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation Enduring Peace, deployed at Lamingo, have successfully rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 11 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered weapons during separate operations conducted within the Joint Operations Area of Plateau State. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers operating within the Rayfield and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh.
Acting on the intelligence, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, resulting in the arrest of 11 suspects. The operation was further enhanced by the timely exploitation of intelligence obtained from two kidnapped victims who had been abducted from Gwafan community on September 18, 2026. During preliminary investigation, the victims positively identified three of the arrested suspects as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abduction. The suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing further investigation to establish their individual roles in the kidnapping and determine whether they are connected to other criminal activities in the area.
The rescued victims were Mrs Juliana Goyang and 11-year-old Master Idumafa Amupitan, both abducted from Gwafan community in Jos North Local Government Area. Their abduction on September 18 triggered the manhunt that led to the raids on the suspected hideouts the following morning. Their identification of the suspects provided investigators with direct links between the arrested individuals and the specific crime that triggered the operation. The fact that the victims were able to identify their alleged abductors strengthens the chain of evidence and increases the likelihood of successful prosecution. In many kidnapping cases in Nigeria, suspects are released without charge due to a lack of evidence or witnesses willing to testify. The victims' decision to come forward and identify their alleged abductors is a courageous act that should be supported and protected.
In a separate operation, at about 6 p.m. on September 19, 2026, troops of Sector 3, deployed in Bassa Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a cordon-and-search operation which led to the recovery of one locally fabricated rifle and the arrest of a suspect. Troops are currently dominating the general area to possibly apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate. 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 who attempted to conceal a weapon upon sighting troops. A thorough search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one mobile phone.
The Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for their professionalism, dexterity and timely response during the operations. He charged them to sustain the aggressive posture and maintain the momentum of the operation 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 relevant stakeholders. He emphasised that the timely provision of credible information remains critical to the success of ongoing operations against criminal elements and efforts to consolidate the prevailing peace across the state. Dangana further reassured the people of Plateau State of the unwavering commitment of Operation Enduring Peace to protect lives and property while strengthening existing peace and security efforts across the state.
The arrests in Jos North are part of intensified efforts by security forces to dismantle kidnapping networks operating around Jos and its environs and prevent further abductions. The security forces have consistently stressed the importance of public cooperation, urging residents to provide timely and credible information that can aid in the rescue of victims and the apprehension of perpetrators. The suspects arrested in the raids are currently undergoing investigation. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The military has not disclosed whether any of the suspects have been linked to other kidnapping incidents in the area, but the investigation will seek to establish the full extent of their involvement in criminal activities.
For the people of Gwafan and other communities in Jos North, the arrests bring a glimmer of hope. They have lived in fear of abduction, and the sight of troops raiding hideouts and arresting suspects is a reassurance that the government is taking their plight seriously. But hope must be tempered with vigilance. The kidnapping networks are resilient, and the arrest of 11 suspects does not mean the end of the threat. The security forces must maintain their presence in the area, continue to gather intelligence and respond swiftly to any new threats. The community must also play its part by providing information to the authorities. As Major General Dangana noted, the timely provision of credible information remains critical to the success of ongoing operations. The people of Plateau State deserve to live without fear, and the operations conducted on September 19 are a step toward that goal.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments