Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully rescued 16 kidnapped passengers along the Jos–Mangu road in Plateau State.
The operation, which took place on Sunday, April 13, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., followed the discovery of an abandoned vehicle at Mararaban Kantoma in Mangu Local Government Area. Acting swiftly, troops launched a search of the nearby bushes, where they encountered the kidnappers holding the abducted passengers.
According to a statement released by OPSH Spokesman, Major Samson Zhakom, the criminals opened fire upon sighting the soldiers, but were overpowered by the troops' superior firepower. The kidnappers were forced to flee, leaving behind all 16 victims, including six children.
“Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have rescued 16 passengers kidnapped along Jos – Mangu road in Plateau State,” the statement read in part. “The troops, while conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, discovered an empty
