Troops foil kidnap attempt, kill 3 suspects during ransom pickup in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have killed three suspected kidnappers during a failed ransom collection operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The operation was launched following the abduction of Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of the 3 Division Garrison on August 2 along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi.

The soldier, who was travelling to Abuja without official clearance, was kidnapped while in transit.

Acting on intelligence, troops of Sector 6 OPSH, in collaboration with the EIB STRATOC team, tracked the kidnappers to Farin Lamba, Maraban Jema’a, and Ganawuri areas within Jos South and Riyom LGAs.

The ransom drop-off point was traced to Kwakwi area in Riyom, where the victim’s relatives had delivered N500,000 to secure his release.

At about 5:35 p.m. on August 4, troops spotted a suspect carrying a bag believed to contain the ransom money.

He was monitored as he veered off the main path toward a bush track to rendezvous with other members of the gang.

Upon realising he was being followed, the suspect raised an alarm, prompting his accomplices to flee.

The troops gave chase and engaged the criminals, killing three of them during the confrontation.

Items recovered at the scene included N312,000 in cash, three mobile phones, two knives, and an AirPod device.

The kidnapped soldier reportedly used the chaos to escape and later reunited safely with his unit.