Troops Raid Kidnappers’ Hideout, Kill Suspects ‘After Attempt To Disarm Soldier In Plateau’
January 8, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Plateau State, neutralising suspects who attempted to escape after trying to disarm a soldier during a follow-up operation.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, near Lantom Village in the Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising communities in the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Acting Military Information Officer of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Joshua Atu John, disclosed that troops stormed the hideout and arrested four suspects during the initial raid.
Items recovered from the scene included a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete. Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to recent cases of kidnapping and armed robbery within the district. Two other members of the gang reportedly escaped during the raid, making away with an AK-47 rifle.
According to Captain John, the arrested suspects later revealed the location of a concealed arms and ammunition cache and volunteered to lead troops to the site on the outskirts of Kadarko.
However, while guiding the soldiers to the hidden cache, the suspects allegedly attempted to escape by trying to seize the weapon of one of the troops. They were subsequently neutralised by the soldiers.
“Following the arrest, the suspects cooperated by revealing the location of a hidden cache of arms and ammunition and offered to guide troops to the site for recovery,” the statement read.
“However, while leading troops to the hidden cache on the outskirts of Kadarko, the suspects attempted a desperate move by trying to snatch the weapon of one of the soldiers in a bid to escape but were decisively neutralised by troops.”
The military added that follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing gang members and recover the missing AK-47 rifle.
Reacting to the operation, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, noting that their actions underscored their commitment to restoring peace in the Joint Operations Area.
He reaffirmed that troops of 3 Division/JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE remain resolute in fulfilling their constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, while urging law-abiding citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.