Troops of Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace have rescued two kidnap victims at Kukawa in Kanam LGA of Plateau.

Polycarp Oteh, the troops’ spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on February 22 from the Mansur community of Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi.

“Troops who were on aggressive fighting patrol of the general area made contact with the criminals while conveying the victims to their hideouts. The criminals immediately abandoned the victims and fled into nearby bushes.

“Victims have been debriefed, and efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.

“Troops have continued to comb the bushes in order to apprehend the fleeing criminals and possibly rescue other abducted victims,” Mr Oteh said.

In a related development, the troops arrested a suspected gunrunner at the Kurmin Goro community of Sanga LGA of Kaduna.

“The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Vincent Ibrahim, was intercepted while conveying five fabricated rifles to an undisclosed location in Kafanchan.

“The suspect is currently in troops’ custody, undergoing interrogation,” he said.

Mr Oteh called on residents of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna to support JTF-OPEP and other security agencies towards ensuring a lasting return to all troubled areas.

(NAN)