By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigerian Army has released report of the encounter between troops and kidnappers in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
The encounter led to the neutralisation of some of the kidnappers and rescue of victims.
Security Watch Africa (SWA) gathered that the troops acted on actionable intelligence obtained from 2 suspects arrested on 16 February, 2026.
“On 17 February, 2026 at about 1820 hours, troops of Sector 6 Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), acting on actionable intelligence obtained from 2 suspects earlier arrested on 16 February, 2026 and later confirmed to be kidnappers, conducted a raid on the hideout of other members of kidnapping syndicate at Angwan Boka, Sopp district in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
‘The suspects also disclosed that a woman earlier reported kidnapped at about 0600hrs on 17 February, 2026 was being held at the same location.
“Troops immediately mobilised to the identified hideout with the 2 arrested suspects in custody. On arrival at the objective, troops made contact with the kidnappers and neutralised 3 of them. Also, during the ensuing firefight, the 2 x arrested criminals attempted to exploit the situation by trying to disarm the soldiers in order to escape.”
The kidnappers were however promptly neutralised by troops while other kidnappers fled.
“Items recovered include 3 x Mobile phones, a total sum of Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred Naira (N17,600.00) only and other illicit substances.
“The kidnapped victim, identified as Hauwa Suleiman, was successfully rescued, debriefed and subsequently reunited with her family.
“Troops are currently conducting offensive operations to intercept and neutralised fleeing members of the syndicate.”
