Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke successfully rescued nine kidnap victims in the Owukpa forest, situated within the Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims abducted from a commercial vehicle on January 11, 2024, along the Otukpa/Enugu Highway were successfully rescued in a joint operation led by the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard.
Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, the Force Commander, briefed journalists in Makurdi on Thursday, sharing the details of the operation
The operation, conducted on January 16, 2024, was initiated based on credible intelligence regarding the hideout of suspected kidnappers in the Owukpa Forest
Igbinowanhia stated, “The operation was premised on the kidnapping of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpa – Enugu Road on January 11, 2024. Nine passengers, eight females, and one male passenger were rescued from the suspected kidnappers.”
During the operation, two suspected kidnappers were captured, and recovered items included one AK-47 rifle and 10 mobile phones.
The rescued kidnap victims were subsequently released to continue their journey to their respective destinations
The Force Commander expressed gratitude to the residents for sharing crucial information, which proved instrumental in uncovering the kidnappers’ hideout and facilitating the subsequent successful rescue
He encouraged the residents of Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States to consistently utilize the emergency numbers provided by the command for reporting credible information to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
Kanyi Daily recalls that the military high command had disclosed that a total of 40 terrorists were killed and 25 others were arrested by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the last two weeks.
