(The rescued Passengers. Photo by TheCable)
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have announced the rescue of seven travellers who were abducted by suspected kidn@ppers along a highway in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, disclosed that the rescue operation followed a swift response to a distress call received at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday near Sopp village in Riyom Local Government Area.
He explained that troops deployed under Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace arrived at the scene to find a green Opel Vectra abandoned in the middle of the road with no occupants, which prompted an immediate search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bush.
According to him, the troops made contact with the suspected kidn@ppers during the operation, and sustained military pressure forced the assailants to flee into the bush, abandoning their captives in the process.
The rescued victims were identified as ASP Babagida Ishaku, Mr. Auwulu Haruna, Dung Jerry Dang, Anas Idris, Hussaini Mohammed, Idris Abdullahi, and Mrs. Kangyang Sunday.
The victims reportedly told troops they had boarded the vehicle in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, and were en route to Jos when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.
All seven were said to have been rescued unharmed, while efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Captain Oteh further stressed that Operation Enduring Peace would continue to aggressively discharge its duties in ensuring peace and security, while safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens within its Joint Operations Area.
