Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully eliminated three kidnappers during a failed ransom collection operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which occurred along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi area, followed the abduction of Corporal Munyal Abdullahi, a military officer from the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos, who was kidnapped on Saturday, August 2, while traveling to Abuja.
According to security reports, upon learning of the soldier's abduction, troops from Sector 6 of OPSH, working in collaboration with the EIB STRATOC team, launched a coordinated operation on Monday, August 4. The operation covered Farin Lamba, Maraban Jama'a, and Ganawuri areas in Jos South and Riyom LGAs.
The troops encountered the kidnappers as they attempted to collect a N500,000 ransom that had been negotiated with the victim's family.
A military source who requested anonymity revealed: "At about 5:35 p.m., a suspect was observed with a bag suspected to contain the ransom money en route to a POS shop. Troops monitored the suspect as he diverted through a bush path to link up with his gang."
"On noticing he was being trailed, the suspect raised an alarm, prompting other syndicate members to flee. The troops pursued and engaged them, killing three of the suspects," the source added.
Items recovered from the scene included N312,000 in cash, two knives, three mobile phones, and one AirPod device.
The kidnapped soldier reportedly took advantage of the commotion during the operation to free himself and safely rejoined his unit.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by security forces to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in Plateau State, which has seen various security challenges in recent months.
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