Joint Task Force Rescues Abducted Civilians in Plateau State; Gunrunner Apprehended in Related Kaduna Operation

Nigerian troops rescue two kidnap victims in Plateau and arrest a gunrunner with 5 rifles in Kaduna. Read the latest on JTF-OPEP security operations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 7:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Successful Interdiction in Plateau State Hideouts

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Enduring Peace have successfully rescued two individuals previously held by kidnappers in the Kukawa community of Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State. According to Polycarp Oteh, the spokesperson for the troops, the rescue occurred during an aggressive fighting patrol of the region on Wednesday. The tactical operation forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding wilderness to evade capture. Preliminary debriefings indicate that the victims had been abducted on February 22 from the Mansur community in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of neighboring Bauchi State.

Ongoing Security Sweeps and Victim Rehabilitation

Following the rescue, the JTF has intensified its efforts to secure the general area and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. Spokesman Oteh confirmed that the rescued victims are currently being debriefed by security officials to gather actionable intelligence on the kidnappers' network and operations. While the victims are being prepared for reunification with their families, military personnel have continued to comb the nearby bushes. The objective of the ongoing sweep is to apprehend the fleeing criminals and investigate the possibility of other hidden abduction sites within the Kukawa axis.

Arrest of Suspected Gunrunner in Sanga LGA

In a parallel security development, JTF troops intercepted a significant illegal arms shipment in the Kurmin Goro community of Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State. During the operation, security forces arrested 36-year-old Vincent Ibrahim, who was found to be in possession of five fabricated rifles. According to the official military statement, the suspect was intercepted while attempting to transport the weaponry to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan. Ibrahim is currently in military custody and is undergoing interrogation to determine the source of the firearms and the identity of the intended recipients.