Troops rescue ASP, six kidnapped travelers in Plateau

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and six other travelers who were abducted by suspected kidnappers on Monday at Sopp village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a security source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, troops deployed under Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace Operation, OPEP, carried out the successful rescue operation following a swift response to a distress call at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

The security source disclosed this on Tuesday, stating that when the deployed troops arrived at the scene, they found a blue Opel Vectra abandoned in the middle of the road with no occupants, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bush.

According to the source, the troops made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a firefight, forcing them to flee into the bush and abandon their captives. 

The rescued victims were identified as ASP Babagida Ishaku, Auwulu Haruna, Dung Jerry Dang, Anas Idris, Hussaini Mohammed, Idris Abdullahi, and Mrs Kangyang Sunday.

The victims reportedly told the troops they had boarded the vehicle in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, and were travelling to Jos when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.

The source said all seven victims were rescued unharmed, while efforts have been intensified to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.