Military Rescues 16 Kidnapped in Plateau
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 kidnapped passengers along the Jos–Mangu road in Plateau State, including six children.
According to a statement released on Monday, April 14, 2025, by OPSH Media Information Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the rescue operation was launched after troops conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A discovered an abandoned vehicle by the roadside at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area around 9 p.m. on April 13.
Suspicious of a possible abduction, the troops searched the nearby bushes, where they encountered gunfire from the kidnappers. However, the soldiers returned fire with superior force, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon the victims. All 16 hostages were rescued unharmed, though a few had minor injuries for which they received first aid from the troops.
The victims were then safely escorted to continue their journey to Jos Metropolis, while efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers—some of whom are believed to be injured—are ongoing.
The military reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the region, emphasizing that operations will continue to deny criminals any freedom of action.
Military Rescues 16 Kidnapped in Plateau
