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.
Credit: Zagazola Makama
