Troops rescue two kidnap victims after gun battle with suspects in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued two individuals who were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State following a swift pursuit operation.

The development was disclosed by counter-insurgency and security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X.

According to Makama, the victims, Victor Ibikuzhu and Tongriang Dayok Salihu, were kidnapped on Monday night in Kwang village, Jos North, before being rescued by security operatives.

Security sources revealed that troops from Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, acting on a distress call, immediately deployed to the area alongside personnel of the Keystone security outfit.

The joint team reportedly launched a pursuit along routes believed to have been taken by the kidnappers.

During the operation, the troops made contact with the fleeing suspects, resulting in a gunfight.

Faced with sustained pressure and superior firepower from the security personnel, the kidnappers reportedly abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.

“The kidnappers were said to have abandoned the victims and escaped into nearby bushes following the superior firepower of the troops,” the sources were quoted as saying.

The rescued victims were unharmed and were reunited with their families shortly after the operation.

Security agencies have continued efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.