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.


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