Nigerian troops, under the Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), deployed to Wase, have announced the successful interception of a suspected gun runner and rescue of “two kidnapped victims around Kukawa in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State,” north central Nigeria.
A statement of Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, dated 3 March 2026, indicates that “As part of the ongoing deliberate efforts and decisive offensive against criminal elements terrorizing innocent citizens within its Joint Operations Area (JOA).”
Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace with the rescued victims. Credit: HQ Nigerian Army
Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace disclosed that “Preliminary investigation revealed that the rescued victims were abducted at gunpoint on 22 February 2026, from Mansur village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
“Victims have been debriefed and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families, while troops have continued to comb the bushes in order to apprehend fleeing criminals and possibly rescue other abducted victims.”
Rescued victims abducted at gunpoint from Mansur village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, on 22 February 2026. Credit: HQ Nigerian Army
OPEP maintained that the “Troops who were on aggressive fighting patrol of the general area, made contact with the criminals while conveying the victims to their hideouts and immediately abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.”
In a similar development, the troops deployed at Sanga, in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reportedly “successfully intercepted a suspected Gun Runner during a stop and search operation at Kurmin Goro village.
“The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim, was intercepted while conveying five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan. Suspect currently in troops’ custody, undergoing interrogation.”
36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim. Credit: HQ Nigerian Army
In his commendation, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, lauded “the troops for their alertness and decisive action while assuring citizens of troops’ unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties.”
