Troops rescue abducted woman, arrest two suspects in Benue

Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully freed a 28-year-old woman who was abducted and arrested two suspects in Benue State.

The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed the development on Thursday in a statement issued in Makurdi.

Zubairu disclosed that on March 24, troops responded to reports of kidnapping activities at Tse-Ubena village in Yooyo Council Ward, located in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

He said, “Troops deployed from Tor-Donga, in conjunction with operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, conducted a coordinated operation on a suspected hideout.

“During the operation, one kidnap victim, Mrs Member Ityavber, aged 28, was successfully rescued.

“The rescued victim is currently receiving care and has been reunited with her family after a debrief. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend members of the criminal syndicate responsible for the kidnap.”

He further explained that on the same day, troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of armed herders in Mbapa and Mbabuande communities in Gwer West Local Government Area.

According to him, personnel from Sector 1, deployed from Bilawa-Jor and Naka, were swiftly mobilised to the affected communities.

“On arrival, the troops conducted a thorough search and discovered an abandoned suspected criminal hideout.

“Troops continued clearance operations with further exploitation across River Akpako, leading to the arrest of two suspects, who are currently in custody undergoing further investigation,” he noted.

Zubairu added that the Force Commander of JTF OPWS, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, praised the troops for their swift action and professionalism.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the force to ensuring safety across its operational areas, especially as residents prepare for the upcoming farming season.