Soldiers rescue 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau

Troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN in Plateau State have rescued 16 passengers who were kidnapped along Jos-Mangu road in the state.

It was learnt that the rescue operation was initiated on Sunday night, around 9pm after troops discovered an abandoned vehicle at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

The Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, who confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, said that upon discovering the abandoned vehicle, troops immediately searched the nearby bushes and found the kidnappers holding the passengers captive.

According to him, the kidnappers opened fire but were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower, forcing them to flee while the kidnapped victims were successfully rescued

The statement read, “Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along Jos – Mangu road in Plateau State. The rescue operation began when troops conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A discovered an empty vehicle abandoned by the roadside at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area of the State at about 9pm local time on 13 April 2025.

“The troops immediately searched the nearby bushes to trace the occupants of the vehicle suspected to have been kidnapped. The kidnappers, on sighting the troops opened fire, but own troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower forcing them to abandon the victims and fled. Troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers which included 6 children.

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“Troops administered first aid to some of the rescued victims who sustained minor injuries during the incident. Thereafter, troops escorted the victims to safety to continue their journey to Jos Metropolis. Meanwhile, troops are on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter with troops”

The statement reiterated OPSH’s commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, adding that troops remain motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.