Troops eliminate three kidnappers during ransom collection in Plateau

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, OPSH, have eliminated three kidnappers during a failed ransom collection operation in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) by security expert Zagazola Makama, the interface between the kidnappers and the troops, which took place along the Jos–Makurdi road at the Rafin Sanyi area of the council, followed the abduction of a military officer, Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, who was kidnapped on Saturday, August 2, while travelling to Abuja.

Further reports reveal that on getting knowledge of the abduction of the soldier, troops of Sector 6 of the OPSH, in collaboration with the EIB STRATOC team, launched a coordinated operation on Monday, August 4, around Farin Lamba, Maraban Jama’a, and Ganawuri in Jos South and Riyom LGAs, where they encountered the kidnappers when they were about to pick up a ransom of N500,000 they had negotiated with the family of the victim.

“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,” Makama wrote, quoting a military source who pleaded anonymity.

“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.

“Recovered from the scene were N312,000 in cash, two knives, three mobile phones, and one AirPod device.

“The kidnapped soldier reportedly took advantage of the commotion to free himself and safely rejoined his unit,” he added.

Troops eliminate three kidnappers during ransom collection in Plateau