QUA'AN PAN, PLATEAU STATE — By Prime Brief Media
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have successfully rescued a kidnapped female victim and recovered N8 million in ransom payments during a coordinated operation in Qua'an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, the military has confirmed.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, the operation was carried out on Saturday, April 25, by troops deployed in Sector 9, Shendam.
The rescue followed the abduction of the victim from the Bauna area of Shendam Local Government Area on April 19, 2026. Military authorities disclosed that through rigorous intelligence gathering and the interrogation of an arrested suspect who confessed to the crime, troops were able to identify the victim's location at Padam Forest in Qua'an Pan Local Government Area.
"The suspect provided crucial information that led our troops directly to the hideout where the victim was being held," a military source familiar with the operation told Prime Brief Media, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The element of surprise was key. The kidnappers had no opportunity to relocate the victim or mount any resistance."
During the operation, troops recovered the sum of N8 million, equivalent to approximately $10,500, which had been previously paid by the victim's family as ransom to the kidnappers. In a gesture that has drawn commendation from local residents, the military confirmed that the recovered ransom was returned to the family.
Following her rescue, the victim was taken to the General Hospital, Shendam, for medical evaluation and attention. Medical personnel confirmed she was stable, and she has since been reunited with her family.
The military statement further noted that troops are continuing exploitation operations targeting kidnappers' hideouts within Qua'an Pan and Shendam Local Government Areas to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate. "We are not relenting. Every member of this network will be tracked down and brought to justice," the source added.
The Joint Task Force commended residents of the affected communities for their cooperation and urged continued support, calling for more timely information to assist in maintaining peace and security in the Joint Operations Area. Security analysts note that the successful operation underscores the critical importance of community-military collaboration in combating kidnapping and banditry across the North-Central region.
Plateau State has witnessed a troubling surge in abductions for ransom in recent months, with criminal gangs exploiting forested areas and difficult terrain to evade security forces. The recovery of ransom money, in particular, is a rare outcome that is likely to boost public confidence in the operational capabilities of security agencies.
Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor security operations across Plateau State and provide updates as further details emerge.
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