By Bavoriat Clara
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), have recorded fresh operational successes in Kaduna State, neutralising several criminal elements, rescuing a kidnapped victim and recovering arms and ammunition during a series of coordinated operations.
The operations, conducted under Operation PEACE SHIELD on Tuesday, 13 January and Wednesday, 14 January 2026, were part of ongoing efforts to rid the joint operations area of criminal activities.
In a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer, JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Joshua Atu John, the task force said troops of Sector 7 acted on credible intelligence on Tuesday, 13 January, regarding the kidnapping and rape of a young girl (name withheld) in Kajim Village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the statement, troops swiftly mobilised and pursued the suspects, leading to a firefight during which three criminals identified as Yusuf Musa, Auwal Adamu and Kamal Abdul were neutralised. The kidnapped 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 the hideout of suspected armed robbers on the outskirts of Kaura town, also in Kaura Local Government Area. The troops encountered resistance, resulting in a brief engagement in which four suspects — Abubakar Ibrahim (35), Ibrahim Isa (37), Suleiman Auwal (25) and Suleiman Tahiru — were neutralised.
Items recovered during the operation included one locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the neutralised criminals were members of a syndicate responsible for kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across the joint operations area.
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