Army foils abduction, rescues two victims in Benue

Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued two abducted individuals during a security operation in Kyado community, located in Ukum Local Government Area.

The Nigerian military confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the victims were recovered during a pre-dawn operation carried out in the area.

Sylvester Ebuka and Chidinma Chikwentu regained their freedom around 3:50 a.m. on Wednesday following what officials described as continuous, intelligence-based operations aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts within the community.

In a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Ahmad Zubairu, it was disclosed that Mr. Ebuka had been kidnapped on April 2, while Mrs. Chikwentu was abducted four days later in separate incidents.

Security authorities said the victims were recovered safely after sustained pressure from troops forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee the location.

“The breakthrough was achieved through a combination of credible intelligence and relentless operational pressure mounted by troops on suspected bandit hideouts,” the statement said, adding that troops conducted aggressive patrols to disrupt criminal activity in the area.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, praised the soldiers for their professionalism, noting that the successful rescue demonstrates the value of intelligence-led military operations.

He further reassured residents that security forces would sustain the operations until all threats to peace in the state are eliminated, urging locals to continue providing useful information to assist security agencies.

The rescue comes amid rising security concerns across parts of Benue State, with recent violent incidents reported in Apa Local Government Area and Gwer East Local Government Area, where attacks have reportedly claimed lives and displaced residents.

Earlier, the Benue State Police Command announced that it had begun reviewing its operational tactics and had deployed additional tactical units to troubled communities to restore calm and prevent further violence.

Despite growing concerns from residents over the frequency of attacks, security agencies insist that joint operations between the military and police are being intensified to enhance rapid response and stabilize affected communities.