Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have rescued two abducted victims, arrested 12 suspected criminals and recovered weapons in separate operations across Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
The operations, conducted on Saturday covered parts of Jos North, Bassa and Mangu Local Government Areas.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, troops of Sector One, Sub-Sector 12, deployed at Lamingo, acted on credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating around Rayfield and other parts of Jos North.
The troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The operation was further supported by information obtained from two victims who were abducted from Gwafan Community on September 18.
During preliminary investigation, the victims identified three of the arrested suspects as alleged members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction.
In a separate operation in Bassa Local Government Area, troops of Sector Three conducted a cordon-and-search operation based on credible intelligence, resulting in the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle.
Troops have continued to dominate the area in an effort to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.
Similarly, troops of Sector Eight, deployed in Mangu Local Government Area, conducted a confidence-building patrol along the Tul-Ntam-Angwan Mata-Deng-Deng axis.
During the patrol, the troops arrested a suspected criminal around the Water Board area who allegedly attempted to conceal a weapon after sighting the troops.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally fabricated automatic weapon, nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and a mobile phone.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to establish their alleged roles and identify other members of the criminal networks.
Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major-General Maxwell Dangana, commended the troops for what he described as their professionalism, dexterity and timely response during the operations.
He urged the troops to sustain the momentum of operations and deny criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.
Major-General Dangana also appreciated the continued support and cooperation of residents and other stakeholders, stressing that timely and credible information remains critical to ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities and consolidate peace across Plateau State.
He reassured residents of the commitment of Operation Enduring Peace to protecting lives and property while strengthening security efforts across the state.
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Editor: Terverr Tyav
