Troops from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued nine kidnapped victims from Owukpa forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
News About Nigeria gathered that the victims were reportedly abducted from a commercial vehicle along the Otukpa/Enugu Highway on January 11, 2024.
Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, the Force Commander, revealed the success of the operation during a briefing with journalists in Makurdi on Thursday.
The joint operation involved troops from Section 6 of Operation Whirl Stroke, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard, acting on credible intelligence.
“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, stormed the hideout of suspected kidnappers at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State,” said General Igbinowanhia.
The rescue operation was initiated in response to the kidnapping of passengers travelling in a commercial bus along Otukpa – Enugu Road on January 11, 2024.
A total of nine passengers, comprising eight females and one male, were successfully rescued from the suspected kidnappers.
Two individuals believed to be involved in the kidnapping were apprehended during the operation.
The rescued victims were subsequently released to continue their journeys.
Among the items recovered at the scene were one AK-47 rifle and 10 mobile phones.
The Force Commander expressed appreciation to the local community for providing crucial information that led to the discovery of the kidnappers’ hideout and the subsequent successful rescue mission.
He urged residents in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states to continue using the emergency numbers provided by the command to report credible information to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
