Troops Neutralise Criminals, Rescue Kidnapped Victim, Recover Arms
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), under Operation PEACE SHIELD, have recorded significant operational successes against criminal elements in Kaduna State, including the neutralisation of suspects, rescue of a kidnapped victim and recovery of arms and ammunition.
The achievements were recorded during a series of operations conducted on Tuesday, 13 January, and Wednesday, 14 January 2026, within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
On Tuesday, 13 January 2026, troops of Sector 7 JTF OPEP acted on credible intelligence regarding the kidnapping and rape of a young girl in Kajim Village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following the report, troops swiftly mobilised and pursued the kidnappers. Contact was made with the criminals, and during the ensuing firefight, three suspects identified as Yusuf Musa, Auwal Adamu and Kamal Abdul were neutralised.
The victim was successfully rescued, debriefed and subsequently reunited with her family.
In a related operation on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, troops of Sector 7 JTF OPEP raided a suspected armed robbery hideout on the outskirts of Kaura, also in Kaura Local Government Area. During the raid, troops encountered the criminals and engaged them in a meeting engagement, resulting in the neutralisation of four suspects identified as Abubakar Ibrahim (35), Ibrahim Isa (37), Suleiman Auwal (25) and Suleiman Tahiru.
Items recovered from the operation included one fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the neutralised suspects were members of a criminal syndicate responsible for kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.
The Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across the joint operations area.
