TROOPS RAID KIDNAPPERS’ HIDEOUT, NEUTRALISE SUSPECTS, AND RECOVER WEAPONS IN PLATEAU STATE

Lantom Village, Wase LGA, Plateau State
7 January 2026

In a swift and intelligence-driven operation, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, raided a kidnappers’ hideout near Lantom Village in the Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The operation, carried out based on credible intelligence, was aimed at disrupting kidnapping and armed robbery activities that have posed security challenges within the area. During the initial raid, troops successfully arrested four suspects and recovered a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete. Preliminary investigations confirmed the involvement of the suspects in recent criminal activities within the district. However, two accomplices escaped during the operation, reportedly fleeing with an AK-47 rifle.

Following their arrest, the suspects cooperated with troops by revealing the location of a hidden cache of arms and ammunition and offered to lead soldiers to the site for recovery. While guiding the troops to the arms cache on the outskirts of Kadarko, the suspects made a desperate attempt to escape by trying to snatch the weapon of one of the soldiers. The attempt was swiftly thwarted, and the suspects were decisively neutralised by the troops.

Meanwhile, follow-up operations are ongoing to track down and apprehend the two fleeing gang members and to recover the missing AK-47 rifle.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, commended the troops for their gallantry, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to sustaining peace and security within the Joint Operations Area. He reiterated that troops of 3 Division/JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE remain resolute in the discharge of their lawful mandate to safeguard lives and property.
Major General Oyinlola further emphasised that the cooperation and timely support of law-abiding citizens remain indispensable to the success of ongoing and future security operations across the state.

Joshua Atu John
Captain
Acting Military Information Officer
JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE
07 January 2026
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