Joint security operatives in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State have arrested two suspected kidnappers, recovered ₦8 million ransom, and rescued an abducted woman from a forest hideout.
The development was confirmed by the Executive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Council, Christopher Audu Manship, in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the statement, the arrested suspects were identified as Waltu Watter and Sale Mamma.
Authorities alleged that the suspects attacked a family, killed Alhaji Saidu Mamma, abducted his daughter, and later demanded ₦8 million ransom.
Security operatives were said to have launched a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the suspects and full recovery of the ransom money.
During the parade of the suspects, local authorities said the recovered money would be returned to the family of the deceased victim.
Officials also declared zero tolerance for kidnapping and violent crime within the local government area.
In a separate operation, security personnel rescued a woman identified as Mrs. Gambo Bello.
She was reportedly kidnapped in Lafia East area of Nasarawa State and taken into the Pandam Game Reserve located in Qua’an Pan.
Authorities said intelligence reports about suspicious movements in the reserve prompted a search operation.
Mrs. Bello later told officials she spent more than one week in captivity before security operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.
She said the rescue followed a gun battle that forced the kidnappers to flee.
Local authorities said the latest breakthrough marked the third time ransom funds had been recovered from kidnappers in the area.
They credited the success to stronger collaboration among security agencies and renewed efforts to protect border communities linked to neighbouring states.
The operation has been welcomed by residents, with many calling for sustained pressure on criminal groups across the region.
