Troops of 3 Division, Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along the Jos – Mangu road in Plateau State.
Media Information Officer Operation Safe Haven, Major Zhakom in a statement issued Monday revealed that 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.
He added that 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 the criminals were overwhelmed by superior firepower forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.
Zhakom added: “Troops exploited the general area and rescued all 16 abducted passengers which included 6 children.
“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, Zhakom noted that the troops are on the lookout for the fleeing kidnappers suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter with troops.
