Items recovered from the scene included a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete.
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Plateau State, neutralising suspects who attempted to escape by forcefully disarming a soldier during a follow-up operation.
The raid, which took place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, was carried out near Lantom Village in the Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area, following intelligence on the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising communities in the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Joshua Atu John, troops stormed the hideout and arrested four suspects during the initial operation.
Items recovered from the scene included a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete.
Preliminary investigations, according to the military, linked the suspects to recent kidnapping and armed robbery incidents within the district. Two other members of the gang reportedly escaped during the raid, fleeing with an AK-47 rifle.
Captain John said the arrested suspects later volunteered information about a concealed arms and ammunition cache and agreed to lead troops to the location on the outskirts of Kadarko.
However, while guiding soldiers to the hidden cache, the suspects allegedly made a desperate attempt to escape by trying to snatch the weapon of one of the troops.
The statement read, "Following the arrest, the suspects cooperated by revealing the location of a hidden cache of arms and ammunition and offered to guide troops to the site for recovery.
"However, while leading troops to the hidden cache on the outskirts of Kadarko, the suspects attempted a desperate move by trying to snatch the weapon of one of the soldiers in a bid to escape but were decisively neutralised by troops.
"Follow-up operations are currently underway to apprehend the two fleeing gang members and recover the missing AK-47 rifle."
Reacting to the operation, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General EF Oyinlola, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, noting that their actions demonstrated commitment to restoring peace in the Joint Operations Area.
He reiterated that troops of 3 Division/JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE remain resolute in carrying out their constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, while also calling on law-abiding citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.