Troops rescue three, launch search for two other kidnap victims in plateau

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have rescued three kidnap victims and launched a search operation for two others abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Jos–Zaria Road in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the incident occurred at about 9:05pm. on June 24, 2026, around the Mista Ali area after security personnel received a distress report of suspected kidnapping activities along the highway.

Makama said security operatives responded immediately to the scene, forcing the suspected kidnappers to flee.

The report identified the three rescued victims as Osuji Franklin, Danjuma Moses and Irimiya Shehu, noting that they sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.

“The security personnel responded swiftly to the distress call, forcing the armed kidnappers to flee the scene,” he said.

According to the report, preliminary findings indicated that the suspected kidnappers had already taken away two other victims, identified as Dayo and Henry Owen, before security personnel arrived.

The rescued victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Mista Ali, where they are receiving medical treatment.

Makama also disclosed that security operatives recovered an abandoned Opel Zafira vehicle with registration number RYM 25 A2 at the scene.

The report added that security operatives have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and rescue the two remaining victims.