Troops rescue eight passengers, soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued eight abducted passengers, including a serving soldier, who were kidnapped by armed criminals along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on August 2, when the victims were travelling in an ash-coloured Sharon vehicle.

According to a security source, troops of OPSH Sector 6, stationed in Sopp community, responded swiftly to a distress call and confronted the assailants.

Seven of the passengers were rescued during the initial encounter, while one victim—identified as Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of the 3 Division Garrison—was taken into the nearby highlands by the kidnappers.

Investigations revealed that Corporal Abdullahi, a driver attached to the 73 ST Brigade Fire Unit, had just completed a duty assignment and was heading to Abuja without an official pass, reportedly to deliver unspecified items for a relative.

The abductors later contacted the rescued victims and demanded a ransom of ₦60 million for the soldier’s release.

However, through a coordinated search-and-rescue mission involving OPSH and partner security teams, the soldier was safely rescued and reunited with the others.