…five victims rescued, firearms recovered
By Sanni Abdullahi with Agency Report
JOS – Security forces have scored another win against kidnapping networks in Plateau State after troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, arrested a suspected informant linked to a recent abduction case.
The suspect, identified as Yohanna Teri, also known as John Mai-Shayi, 40, was picked up during an intelligence-led operation in Kangang community, Jos South Local Government Area. Security sources confirmed the arrest is directly tied to ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal cells operating across the state.
According to details released by military authorities, Teri is “linked to the abduction of Maxwell Anakwe, who was rescued by troops on June 3.” That rescue operation marked one of several recent successes by Sector 3 troops who have been conducting targeted operations in communities identified as hotspots for kidnapping and banditry.
“The suspect was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation,” security sources stated, noting that weeks of surveillance and community tips led troops to Kangang. The arrest, they said, could open new leads into how kidnappers select targets, move victims, and collect ransoms in Plateau and neighboring areas.
Teri is “currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as security agencies intensify efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks in the state.” Interrogators are expected to focus on identifying other members of the syndicate, tracing financial channels, and mapping routes used to move abducted persons through Jos South and beyond.
Military officials say informants like Teri play a critical role in kidnapping operations, often providing real-time information on movement patterns of residents, locations of vulnerable targets, and escape routes. Cutting off that intelligence flow has become a priority for Operation ENDURING PEACE, which was launched to restore stability in conflict-affected parts of North-Central Nigeria.
The arrest comes less than two weeks after troops rescued Maxwell Anakwe on June 3. While details of Anakwe’s abduction remain limited for operational reasons, his rescue was hailed by residents as proof that coordinated intelligence work is yielding results. Security sources confirmed that information gathered during that operation helped investigators zero in on Teri.
Community leaders in Jos South LGA have repeatedly called for stronger collaboration between residents and security agencies. The latest arrest appears to validate that approach. “Authorities urged residents to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations,” a statement from security sources emphasized. Officials say actionable tips from locals have been key to recent breakthroughs, including the identification of hideouts and logistics points used by criminal groups.
Plateau State has faced persistent security challenges, with kidnapping for ransom becoming a major concern in both rural communities and peri-urban areas around Jos. Kidnappers often target travelers on highways, farmers, and residents in isolated settlements. Security analysts note that informants embedded within communities make it easier for gangs to plan and execute abductions with minimal resistance.
The arrest of a 40-year-old suspect like Teri also highlights a troubling trend: criminal networks are recruiting older, locally connected individuals who can blend in and gather intelligence without raising suspicion. “John Mai-Shayi” is believed to be an alias Teri used to avoid detection. Investigators will be working to determine how long he has operated as an informant and which other abductions he may have facilitated.
Sector 3 of Operation ENDURING PEACE covers parts of Plateau central and southern zones, areas that have seen repeated attacks and abductions over the past year. Troops deployed under the operation combine ground patrols, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to disrupt criminal activity. Military commanders have said the mandate goes beyond reactive rescues to include dismantling the support structures that allow kidnapping to thrive.
The suspect’s detention is expected to last through the interrogation phase, after which he will likely be transferred for prosecution. Nigerian law prescribes severe penalties for kidnapping and for aiding or abetting the crime, including life imprisonment. Security agencies have not said whether additional arrests are imminent, but sources suggest more names have emerged during initial questioning.
For residents of Kangang and surrounding communities, the development brings cautious optimism. Years of insecurity have forced many farmers to abandon fields and kept commercial activity low after dark. Each arrest, community leaders say, chips away at the networks that sustain fear.
As interrogations continue, security forces are pressing for more public cooperation. The call for “credible information” underscores a shift toward intelligence-driven policing, where tips from ordinary citizens can pre-empt attacks. Officials stress that information can be passed through existing military and police channels without residents putting themselves at risk.
The rescue of Maxwell Anakwe on June 3 and now the arrest of his alleged informant signal that Operation ENDURING PEACE is tightening its grip on kidnapping syndicates in Plateau. Whether that momentum can be sustained will depend on continued intelligence sharing, swift prosecution, and long-term efforts to address the economic and social factors that allow such networks to recruit.
For now, troops remain deployed in Jos South, and the search for other members of Teri’s alleged network continues. Security sources say no community is being left out of the dragnet as the military works to ensure Plateau residents can move and live without the threat of abduction.
…FCT Police Crack Team kills two kidnappers, rescues 5 victims
In a related development, the FCT Police Command has rescued five kidnapped victims during a joint security operation in Byazhin, Abuja. The operation, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, followed recent abductions in the Paze Community.
During a gun battle, two suspected kidnappers were neutralised, two others arrested, while two AK-47 rifles and magazines were recovered. Several gang members escaped with gunshot wounds.
Police said sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims, who were rescued unharmed and taken for medical checks. Search operations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
