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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Nigerian security forces rescue seven abducted travellers in Plateau State

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Security forces in Plateau State, Nigeria, rescued seven abducted travellers along the Riyom-Abuja highway.
  • The rescue operation occurred during a night-time response to a distress call, leading to contact with the suspected kidnappers.
  • The victims were unharmed and were travelling from Nasarawa State to Jos when they were intercepted.

Seven travellers have been rescued by troops from Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State, Nigeria, following their abduction along the Riyom-Abuja highway. The successful rescue operation took place during a night-time operation on Monday.

On getting to the location, we met a blue Opel Vectra abandoned in the middle of the road with no occupants. That immediately triggered a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bush.

— Security sourceA security source described the initial discovery of the abandoned vehicle that led to the rescue operation.

Security sources confirmed that the operation was a swift response to a distress call received around 9:30 p.m. near Sopp village in the Riyom Local Government Area. Upon arriving at the scene, troops discovered an abandoned blue Opel Vectra vehicle in the middle of the road. This discovery prompted an immediate search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bush.

During the operation, we made contact with the suspected kidnappers. Under sustained military pressure, they fled into the bush and abandoned their captives.

— Security sourceThe source explained how the military pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives.

During the operation, troops made contact with the suspected kidnappers. Under sustained military pressure, the abductors fled into the bush, abandoning their captives. The rescued individuals were identified as ASP Babagida Ishaku, Mr. Auwulu Haruna, Dung Jerry Dang, Anas Idris, Hussaini Mohammed, Idris Abdullahi, and Mrs. Kangyang Sunday. Preliminary accounts indicate the victims had boarded the vehicle in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, and were en route to Jos when they were intercepted by gunmen.

They told us they boarded the vehicle in Akwanga and were on their way to Jos when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.

— Security sourceAnother security source relayed the victims' account of their journey and abduction.

All seven victims were rescued unharmed. Security sources stated that efforts are being intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects. Troops are continuing routine patrols across the Joint Operations Area to enhance security for commuters, schools, and critical infrastructure in Plateau State.

Efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

— Security sourceThe source confirmed ongoing efforts to capture the individuals responsible for the kidnapping.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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