Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along Jos-Mangu Road in Plateau State.
OPSH, in a statement issued in Jos by its Media Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, said the rescue operation began when troops conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A discovered an empty vehicle abandoned by the roadside at Mararraban Kantoma in Mangu LGA of the State.
According to the statement, the troops immediately searched the nearby bushes to trace the occupants of the vehicle suspected to have been kidnapped.
He explained that the kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and fled.
The statement added that troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers, which included six children.
OPSH further maintained that troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident.
He pointed out that the Troops escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos metropolis.
Meanwhile, OPSH troops were on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the gun duel.
OPSH reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, while troops remained motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.
