Nigerian Army foils multiple kidnap attempts in Plateau, Zamfara

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed that its operatives foiled multiple kidnap attempts in Plateau and Zamfara States.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement disclosed that troops deployed in the Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State rescued one Mrs Rosemary Jekpe.

Nwachukwu said Jekpe was kidnapped at her residence in Abuja Layout, Bukuru Low Cost Housing in the Jos South LGA of Plateau.

“The kidnap victim was rescued at Rafinbuna Village in the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of the same state, after a firefight with the kidnappers,” he said.

According to the Army spokesman, the troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle and two motorbikes from the kidnappers during their rescue mission.

The Nigerian Army troops also conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal enclave at Zamtip Village in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following actionable intelligence.

Nwachukwu said during the operation, the troops successfully apprehended one of the criminals, while another, in a bid to evade arrest shot and killed himself.

The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, two empty cases of 7.62mm, three sim cards and one jackknife from the criminals.

In another operation, in Zamfara State, the troops in a prompt response to a distress call foiled the abduction of three persons by violent extremists at the outskirts of Kwatarkwashi Village in the Gusau Local Government Area.

Nwachukwu added that the operatives of the Nigerian Army engaged and overpowered the extremists in the shootout that followed, forcing them to abandon the three kidnap victims, who were immediately rescued by the troops.

One of the victims however, sustained injury and has been evacuated to a hospital for further medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

In South Eastern Nigeria, troops of the Nigerian Army responding to intelligence report of the establishment of a new camp by IPOB /ESN militants on Monday, 18 March, 2024, neutralized an IPOB/ESN militant in a sting operation in the new hideout in Ihiteukwa community, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The militants, notorious for their reign of terror in the state, were engaged in a gun duel by the troops, resulting in the elimination of one of them, while others took to their heels.

Troops have destroyed the terrorists’ camp and on the trail of the fleeing militants. Troops also recovered a fabricated single barrel gun from the militant.

He said the Army is committed to safeguarding lives and property of all citizens and expressed gratitude to vigilant members of the public for their cooperation in fight against insurgency, terrorism and all forms of criminality.