Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have neutralised armed gunmen during a coordinated ambush operation carried out in the Marit general area of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, in what security authorities described as a precision strike against criminal elements terrorising local communities.
The operation, which took place on the evening of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, was executed at about 7:49pm near Doruwa Babuje following credible intelligence on the movement of armed men suspected to be responsible for a series of violent attacks, armed robbery incidents, and sexual assaults in surrounding communities.
According to a statement issued by the Joint Task Force, the troops acted on actionable intelligence which indicated that the armed group was actively operating within the area and moving through known routes used to carry out attacks on civilians. The operation was described as targeted and carefully coordinated, aimed at intercepting the criminals while minimizing risk to nearby residents.
Upon making contact, the troops reportedly established an ambush position and waited for the armed group to enter the designated area. As soon as the criminals came within range, the troops launched the ambush, triggering an intense exchange of fire. During the firefight that followed, two of the armed gunmen were neutralised on the spot, while several others managed to escape into surrounding bushes under the cover of darkness.
Following the operation, troops conducted a search of the immediate vicinity to assess the outcome and recover operational intelligence that could assist in tracking fleeing suspects. During the search, a number of items were recovered from the scene, including one locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jackknife, and a mobile phone believed to have been used by the criminals for communication and coordination.
Security sources confirmed that the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to analyse the mobile device for possible intelligence that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the fleeing gang.
Following the ambush, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have maintained a strong presence within the general areas of Marit and Lajam villages. This continued deployment, according to the military, is aimed at ensuring sustained security coverage and preventing any reprisal attacks or further criminal activity in the area.
The Joint Task Force noted that deliberate efforts are currently ongoing to track and apprehend the remaining fleeing suspects, stressing that the operation is part of a broader sustained campaign to dismantle criminal networks operating across Plateau State and its surrounding environments.
Operation ENDURING PEACE reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property of law-abiding citizens, describing the latest operation as part of its mandate to restore stability and confidence in communities affected by persistent insecurity.
The task force further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against armed banditry and violent crime.
The statement was signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, and dated April 22, 2026.
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