Soldiers foil kidnap attack on Benue Links Bus, rescue passengers along Enugu–Otukpo Road

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo Road, rescuing three victims without casualties.

The incident occurred on February 25, 2026, when troops of Sector 1, deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Otukpo, received credible intelligence during a night patrol that suspected kidnappers had hijacked an 18-seater Benue Links bus with registration number TYK 221 YK.

The Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued on February 26, 2026.

According to the military, the vehicle was conveying four passengers and a minor at the time of the attack.

Acting swiftly on the information, the troops mobilised to the scene and trailed the suspects along their withdrawal route. Their rapid response forced the kidnappers to abandon three of the victims. No direct contact was made with the suspects during the pursuit. However, a mobile phone believed to belong to one of the kidnappers was recovered at the scene.

The Force Commander commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience, and operational efficiency, noting that their intervention prevented what could have escalated into a major security breach.

He also advised motorists and road users to remain vigilant at all times, urging them to take note of unusual absence of vehicular movement within a two-kilometre stretch of road and pause where necessary to assess the situation. Drivers were further encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security outpost to enable rapid response.