Troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have successfully raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Plateau State, arresting suspects and recovering weapons during the operation.
The raid, carried out on January 6, 2026, followed credible intelligence about criminal activities in Lantom village, Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area. Four suspected criminals were apprehended at the hideout, with items seized including a locally fabricated rifle, an axe, and a machete.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are linked to multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in Kadarko District and surrounding areas,” a military source said.
Two other gang members escaped during the initial raid, taking an AK-47 belonging to the group. During interrogation, the arrested suspects revealed the location of the gang’s arms and ammunition cache and offered to lead troops to a secondary hideout on the outskirts of Kadarko.
However, the suspects attempted to disarm one of the guards while guiding the troops, prompting soldiers to act decisively. “The troops neutralised the kidnappers in the process,” the source added.
All recovered weapons and items are now in military custody, and follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members and retrieve the remaining arms.
