Troops under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 kidnapped passengers in Plateau State, following a confrontation with suspected kidnappers in Mangu Local Government Area.
According to Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation, the rescue took place on Sunday night along the Jos–Mangu road.
Zhakom revealed in a statement issued Monday in Jos that the rescue occurred during a routine operation by troops in the area.
“Our troops have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along Jos – Mangu road,” Zhakom said.
He explained that the troops came across an abandoned vehicle at Mararaban Kantoma and immediately began combing the surrounding bushes to locate its occupants, who were suspected to have been abducted.
“The victims were rescued while troops were conducting an operation and discovered an empty vehicle abandoned by the roadside at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu.”
“The troops immediately searched the nearby bushes to trace the occupants of the vehicle suspected to have been kidnapped,” he added.
The operation turned confrontational when the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops.
However, they were overpowered by superior firepower and fled, leaving the victims behind.
“On sighting the troops the kidnappers opened fire, but the troops overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower and forced them to abandon the victims and flee.”
“Troops exploited the general area and rescued all the 16 abducted passengers, including 6 children,” Zhakom stated.
He also noted that some of the victims sustained minor injuries and received first aid from the troops before being escorted to safety.
Zhakom concluded that the victims later continued their journey to Jos without further incident.
