Troops of the Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) in Plateau State have rescued a 12-year-old boy who was reportedly sold to a kidnapping syndicate by his uncle.

The Media Information Officer, Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said the boy, who was sold by his uncle about three years ago, was rescued on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during raid operations carried out by the troops on criminals’ hideouts in Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

The OPSH spokesman added that the boy has been handed over to the Councillor representing Zamko Ward of Langtang North LGA, who is expected to reunite the minor with his immediate family.

“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.