Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road

Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued eight passengers, including a serving soldier, who were abducted by armed robbers 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 Aug. 2, when the victims were travelling in an ash-coloured Sharon.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of OPSH Sector 6, deployed at Sopp community, swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the criminals.

Seven of the eight passengers were rescued on the spot, while the eighth victim, identified as Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division Garrison, was initially taken away into the surrounding highlands by the assailants.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier, attached to 73 ST Brigade Fire Unit as a driver, had just dismounted from duty and was travelling to Abuja without an official pass to deliver yet-to-be-confirmed items for a relative.

The abductors contacted the rescued victims via phone numbers, demanding a ransom of N60 million for the soldier’s release.

However, following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by OPSH troops in collaboration with other team, the soldier was successfully rescued and reunited with the other victims.

Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road