The victims were rescued during a swift search-and-rescue operation carried out by security personnel following a distress call from the area in the early hours of Friday.
According to reports, the incident occurred when armed kidnappers intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Jos, the Plateau State capital. The attackers reportedly forced the vehicle to stop before whisking away the occupants into a nearby bush.
Confirming the development, the Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Polycarp Oteh, disclosed that troops attached to Sector 6 Operation Enduring Peace immediately mobilized to the scene upon receiving information about the attack.
Upon arrival, the troops reportedly discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned by the roadside, raising concerns that the passengers had been forcibly taken away by the attackers.
“Following the distress call, troops swiftly responded to the scene and discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned by the roadside with its occupants missing. The troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes and succeeded in rescuing six victims,” Oteh said.
The rescued travellers were safely evacuated from the area and are currently receiving necessary attention, while security operatives continue efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victim, identified as the driver of the vehicle.
Captain Oteh assured residents that troops remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the area. He noted that intensified operations have been launched to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the driver.
He further urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
“There is no cause for alarm. Troops are on top of the situation, and deliberate efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
The latest incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of Plateau State and neighbouring communities, where travellers and residents have occasionally fallen victim to criminal attacks along major roads.
Security experts have continued to emphasize the need for increased surveillance, intelligence gathering, and collaboration between local communities and security agencies to curb the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within the region.
Meanwhile, residents and commuters have expressed relief over the successful rescue of the six victims, while hoping for the safe return of the missing driver and the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
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