Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have successfully rescued a kidnap victim, Ali Adamu, in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to the army, the rescue operation was initiated after troops in Lau received a distress call reporting Adamu’s abduction while he was sleeping outside his compound.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the soldiers mobilised and pursued the kidnappers. On realising that the troops were closing in, the abductors abandoned their victim and fled into nearby bushes.
In a statement, the spokesman of the 6 Brigade, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, said the rescued victim was reunited with his family safely and no ransom was paid.
He added that the operation was part of the ongoing security efforts across Taraba State to eliminate criminal elements under Operation Lafiya Nakowa.
In a related development, local vigilantes and hunters on patrol around Maraban Kunini in the early hours of the same day apprehended a suspected kidnapper, identified as Lalau Adamu (30), believed to be involved in the abduction.
When troops arrived at the scene, they found that the suspect had sustained injuries from mob action. He was evacuated under military protection to a medical facility for treatment, and investigations are ongoing.
The Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the swift coordination between troops, vigilantes, and local hunters, which ensured the success of the operation.
He encouraged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support efforts to maintain peace and security in the state.
The army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding citizens and eradicating all forms of criminal activity across Taraba and its surrounding areas.