Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have neutralised two armed gunmen during a coordinated ambush in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, carried out on Tuesday evening in the Marit general area, followed credible intelligence on the movement of suspected criminals linked to violent attacks in surrounding communities.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the ambush occurred at about 7:49pm near Doruwa Babuje.
He said the suspects, believed to be part of a group responsible for attacks, sexual assault, and armed robbery, were intercepted by troops who had laid in wait based on intelligence reports.
“Upon sighting the criminals, troops sprang a successful ambush on the marauders. In the ensuing firefight, two armed gunmen were neutralised, while several others fled into the surrounding bushes under the cover of darkness,” Oteh said.
The army spokesman added that troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jackknife, and a mobile phone from the scene.
He noted that security forces have maintained a strong presence in Marit and nearby Lajam villages to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.
“Troops remain firmly in position within the general areas of Marit and Lajam villages to ensure the continued safety of residents, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing criminal elements,” he said.
Oteh reaffirmed the commitment of Operation ENDURING PEACE to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
