Troops of Sector 9 of Operation ENDURING PEACE have rescued eight kidnapped victims during a clearance operation at Pandam Forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Oteh, the successful operation was conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24, 2026, following credible intelligence on the presence of kidnappers in the forest.
The statement said the troops launched the deliberate offensive operation at about 3:00 a.m. as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and security and protect lives across the Joint Operations Area.
During the operation, troops engaged the suspected kidnappers in a firefight after the criminals opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest.
Amid the exchange of gunfire, three of the kidnapped victims escaped from their captors. Troops subsequently carried out a thorough search and exploitation of the forest, leading to the rescue of five additional victims and bringing the total number of rescued persons to eight.
The military said all the rescued victims are in safe condition, while efforts are underway to reunite them with their respective families.
The statement added that troops have continued to pursue the fleeing kidnappers with a view to apprehending or neutralising them.
Operation ENDURING PEACE noted that members of the local communities commended the troops for the successful operation and pledged to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
The Joint Task Force expressed appreciation to residents for their cooperation and urged members of the public to sustain their support by providing timely information that would aid security agencies in disrupting criminal activities and restoring lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.
