By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have recorded significant operational successes in Plateau and Kaduna States, rescuing kidnapped victims and intercepting a suspected gun runner in coordinated missions across their Joint Operations Area (JOA).
According to an official statement from the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, soldiers deployed at Wase successfully rescued two victims who had been abducted at gunpoint on 22 February 2026 from Mansur village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The victims were discovered en route to the criminals’ hideouts around Kukawa in Kanam Local Government Area, prompting the kidnappers to abandon them and flee into nearby bushlands.
“The rescued victims have been debriefed, and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families. Our troops continue to comb the area to apprehend fleeing criminals and rescue any other abducted individuals,” Captain Oteh said.
In a related operation, OPEP soldiers deployed at Sanga in Kaduna State intercepted a 36-year-old suspect, Vincent Ibrahim, during a stop-and-search at Kurmin Goro village. The suspect was found transporting five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan. He is currently in military custody undergoing interrogation.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, commended the troops for their vigilance and decisive action. He reassured citizens of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and properties, emphasizing that such proactive operations would continue to disrupt criminal activities across the region.
“These successes demonstrate our determination to secure communities and deny criminal elements any safe haven,” Major General Oyinlola stated, underlining the operational effectiveness and readiness of the troops.
Operation ENDURING PEACE remains resolute in its mandate to combat criminality, safeguard lives, and uphold peace within its areas of responsibility.
