Troops Rescue 12 Kidnapped Victims in Benue Operation

In a successful operation, troops from Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued 12 kidnapped victims in Jootar village, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of OPWS, announced the rescue during a press briefing on Friday in Makurdi. The operation, executed on February 21 based on credible intelligence, was aimed at freeing the victims who were en route from Imo to Adamawa State when they were abducted.

Gen. Igbinomwanhia revealed that the kidnappers capitalized on the deserted Federal Police Highway checkpoint to carry out their criminal activities. However, upon the arrival of OPWS troops equipped with superior firepower, the criminals abandoned their victims and fled the scene.

The Force Commander also disclosed that the troops successfully recovered an 18-seater bus, registered under Taraba Express International with serial number 212 and license plate GKA-371XA from Taraba State, which belonged to the kidnappers.

Emphasizing OPWS’s commitment to collaboration with other security agencies, Gen. Igbinomwanhia assured the public of the ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements from Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States. He pledged that OPWS would persist in ensuring the safety of lives and properties for all law-abiding citizens within the Joint Task Force Joint Operations Area.