There was palpable tension in Plateau State on Tuesday after suspected kidnappers attempted to snatch a soldier’s rifle during a counter-kidnapping operation by troops of the Nigerian Army, a move that led to their immediate neutralisation.
The incident occurred during a follow-up operation by troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, around Lantom Village in the Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the troops were acting on what the Army described as credible intelligence when they raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the area.
The operation initially led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, an axe and a machete.
The suspects were believed to be members of a criminal gang linked to recent kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in parts of Wase and neighbouring communities.
However, the Army disclosed that two other members of the gang escaped during the raid with an AK-47 rifle, prompting an intensified manhunt by the troops.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Army on Wednesday, the arrested suspects later volunteered to lead the soldiers to a hidden cache of arms and ammunition located on the outskirts of Kadarko.
“While guiding the troops to the hidden cache, the suspects made a desperate attempt to snatch the weapon of one of the soldiers in a bid to escape,” the statement said.
The troops were said to have swiftly responded, neutralising the suspects and aborting the attempted escape.
The Army added that follow-up operations were ongoing to track down the two fleeing gang members and recover the missing AK-47 rifle.
Reacting to the development, the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining peace and security across Plateau State and its environs, while urging residents to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
The Nigerian Army reiterated that soldiers of 3 Division and Operation ENDURING PEACE remained resolute in their mandate to protect lives and property within the joint operations area.
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