From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has disclosed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along the 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 the Mangu Local Government Area of the State at about 9 pm on April 13.
The Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, who made the announcement, said the troops immediately searched the nearby bushes to trace the occupants of the vehicle suspected to have been kidnapped.
Zhakom, in a statement, said the kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.
Troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers, which included 6 children.
He said 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.
OPSH restated its commitment to protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, stating that troops remain motivated to deny miscreants freedom of action.