A 12-year-old youngster who was allegedly sold to a kidnapping syndicate by his uncle has been saved by troops from Plateau State’s Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH).
The boy, who was sold by his uncle approximately three years ago, was rescued on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during troop raids on criminals’ hideouts in the state’s Riyom Local Government Area, according to a statement released on Saturday by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN.
The youngster has been turned over to the councillor for Langtang North LGA’s Zamko Ward, who will likely bring the minor back together with his immediate family, the OPSH spokesperson continued.
“On 22 July, 2025, troops rescued a 12-year-old boy during raid operations carried out on criminals’ hideouts in Riyom general area. Thorough investigation revealed that the boy was sold out 3 years ago by his uncle who is currently at large,” he said.
“The boy has been handed over to the Councillor representing Zamko Ward of Langtang North LGA in Plateau State, who is expected to reunite the minor with his immediate family,” Maj. Zhakom said.
In the statement, Maj. Zhakom said the operations, which also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and other ammunition from bandits, were based on credible intelligence having sighted bandits mounted on motorcycles and armed with AK-47 rifles along Kampani-Kombodoro road in Wase LGA on Friday, July 24.
He stated that upon sighting the movement of the bandits, troops laid ambush along identified bandits’ routes and consequently made contact with the bandits and engaged them with heavy volume of fire, forcing the bandits to flee.
Some of the weapons recovered, according to the OPSH image maker, include one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, and five rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition abandoned by the criminals, while troops are currently on the trail of the fleeing bandits.
