Troops rescue nine kidnapped passengers in Benue

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Troops from Operation Whirl Stroke successfully rescued nine kidnap victims in the Owukpa forest situated in the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The individuals who were rescued had reportedly been taken captive in a commercial vehicle on the Otukpa/Enugu Highway on January 11, 2024.

Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, the Force Commander, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists in Makurdi on Thursday.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard.

He said, “On January 16, 2024, troops of Section 6 Operation Whirl Stroke in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard acting on credible intelligence, stormed the hideout of suspected kidnappers at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

“The  operation was premised on the kidnap of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpa – Enugu Road on January 11, 2024.

“Nine passengers, comprising of eight females and one male passenger were rescued from the suspected kidnappers”.

During the operation, two individuals suspected of being involved in the kidnapping were apprehended.
Following their rescue, the kidnapped individuals were allowed to continue their journeys. Recovered items from the scene included one AK-47 Rifle and 10 mobile phones.
The commander expressed gratitude to the locals for sharing information that led to the identification of the kidnappers’ hideout and the subsequent rescue.
He encouraged residents in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states to utilize the provided emergency numbers to provide credible information to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).