Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), have recorded fresh operational successes against criminal elements in Kaduna State, including the neutralisation of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, the rescue of a kidnapped victim, and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
The operations were carried out by troops of Sector 7 under Operation PEACE SHIELD on Tuesday, 13 January, and Wednesday, 14 January, 2026, within the Joint Operations Area.
On Tuesday, troops acted on credible intelligence concerning the abduction of a girl in Kajim Village, Kaura Local Government Area. The 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 victim was successfully rescued, debriefed and reunited with her family.
In a related operation on Wednesday, troops raided a suspected armed robbery hideout on the outskirts of Kaura town, also in Kaura Local Government Area. During the encounter, four suspected criminals were neutralised. They were later identified as Abubakar Ibrahim (35), Ibrahim Isa (37), Suleiman Auwal (25) and Suleiman Tahiru. Items recovered from the scene included a locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two motorcycles.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were members of a criminal syndicate linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding residents across the area of operations.
