Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have neutralised seven suspected criminals in separate firefights, rescued a kidnapped victim, and recovered arms, ammunition and motorcycles during operations in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement by Captain and Acting Media Information Officer, Joshua Atu John, on Thursday, the task force said the operations were carried out under Operation PEACE SHIELD on Tuesday, 13 January and Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
According to the statement, “troops of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) on Operation PEACE SHIELD have consistently achieved positive operational results against criminal elements in the Joint Operations Area,” adding that the successes included “neutralising criminals, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering arms and ammunition.”
The statement said that on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, troops of Sector 7 JTF OPEP received credible intelligence on the “kidnapping and rape of a girl (name withheld) in Kajim Village, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State.”
It added that troops mobilised immediately, pursued the suspects and engaged them in a firefight.
“Contact was made, and during the firefight, troops neutralised 3 criminals identified as Yusuf Musa, Auwal Adamu, and Kamal Abdul,” the statement said.
It further noted that “the victim was rescued, debriefed, and reunited with her family.”
The task force also disclosed that on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, troops raided the hideout of armed robbers on the outskirts of Kaura, also in Kaura Local Government Area.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals and in a meeting engagement, neutralised 4 individuals,” the statement said.
Items recovered from the operation included “a fabricated rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, and 2 motorcycles.”
According to preliminary investigations, the statement said the suspects were “part of a syndicate responsible for kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes along the Ganawuri-Manchok corridor.”
The task force reaffirmed its resolve, stating that “JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across the joint operations area.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that eleven terrorist fighters have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, as soldiers killed eight others and arrested two insurgents in Borno State.
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