Troops overpower kidnappers, rescue 12 victims in Benue

The Nigerian Army has reported that troops from Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, successfully rescued 12 individuals who were kidnapped while traveling from Imo to Adamawa states.

The rescue operation took place on Wednesday at Jootar village in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, where the victims were found.

Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, stated that the kidnappers exploited an abandoned Federal Police Highway checkpoint.

“In a recent operation, following credible human intelligence on the activities of kidnappers, troops of Sector 1 OPWS, on February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, rescued 12 kidnapped victims who were in transit from Imo State to Adamawa State,” he explained.

Upon encountering the proactive troops of OPWS armed with superior firepower, the kidnappers fled, abandoning their captives.

Igbinomwanhia further mentioned that an 18-seater bus belonging to Taraba Express International, bearing registration number GKA-371XA, was recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout and transported to the troop’s location.

The rescued individuals include:

Mr. Sule Abu, 55
Mrs. Ashie Shuaibu, 26
Master Suleiman Abdullahi, 3
Mrs. Zainab Salau, 35
Mr. Muritala Yussuf, 22
Mrs. Zainab Saidu, 45
Mr. Hammed Mamud, 51
Mr. Usman Ali, 27
Mr. Nura Abubakar, 24
Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, 20
Mrs. Felicia Asusi, 29
Mr. Jacob Nathaniel, 22
The swift and decisive action by the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke led to the successful rescue of these individuals, preventing further harm and reuniting them with their families.