Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have killed five suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted woman during a coordinated raid on a criminal hideout in Angwan Boka, Sopp District of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The operation, conducted on Tuesday evening, followed actionable intelligence obtained from two suspects arrested a day earlier, on February 16.
The suspects, identified as members of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising communities in Riyom Local Government Area, reportedly led troops to the gang’s hideout.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the troops came under heavy gunfire upon reaching the location, forcing them to engage the suspects in a gun duel.
“Four of the kidnappers were neutralised during the exchange of fire,” he said.
Oteh added that during the operation, the two suspects earlier arrested attempted to disarm the soldiers and escape but were overpowered and neutralised, bringing the total number of suspects killed to five.
Items recovered from the scene included three mobile phones, N17,600 in cash, and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
The abducted victim, identified as Hauwa Suleiman, was rescued unharmed. She was debriefed by security operatives and later reunited with her family.
Oteh said troops have intensified clearance operations in the area to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and dismantle the remaining criminal network.
Commending the troops, the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Folusho Oyinlola, urged residents to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.