Nigerian Army troops of the 3 Division, Operation Lafiyan Jama’a, have struck a decisive blow against kidnappers in Plateau State, rescuing four abducted persons and neutralising one suspect during a daring early-morning ambush in Bassa Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the swift operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed the abduction of four residents from Rimi village, Jere District. Acting on the tip-off, troops of Sector 1 moved from Jingre and strategically positioned themselves along the kidnappers’ suspected escape route.
At about 3:28 a.m. on Friday, the troops sprang the ambush. A brief but intense exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding terrain.
During a follow-up sweep of the area, soldiers discovered the corpse of one kidnapper, neutralised in the encounter. Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, underscoring the lethal intent of the fleeing gang.
The rescued victims were immediately debriefed and reunited with their families, bringing relief to a community rattled by the attack. Military sources confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops, describing their morale and fighting efficiency as “high and satisfactory.”
Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the remaining members of the kidnap syndicate, as Operation Lafiyan Jama’a intensifies pressure on criminal elements across the state.
The latest success reinforces the military’s resolve to deny kidnappers safe haven and restore confidence in vulnerable communities across Plateau and beyond.
