Soldiers rescue 12 kidnapped travellers in Benue
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 12 kidnapped travellers who were enroute Benue State from Imo on their way to Adamawa State.
Force Commander, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Makurdi, noted that the troops under his watch have continued to intensify onslaught and aggressive posture in its operations against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in its areas of operation in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
He said that in the latest operation following credible human intelligence on the activities of kidnappers, troops of Sector 1 OPWS, on February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, rescued 12 kidnapped victims who were on transit from Imo State to Adamawa State.
Igbinomwanhia stated that the perpetrators took advantage of the abandoned Federal Police Highway checkpoint to carry out their criminal act, noting that on sighting the aggressive troops of OPWS with superior fire power, the kidnappers fled leaving behind their victims.
“An 18-seater bus belonging to Taraba Express International with Serial Number 212 and Registration Number GKA-371XA Taraba State was recovered from the kidnappers’ den and towed to the troops location.
“The rescued victims are Mr Sule Abu, 55; Mrs Ashie Shuaibu, 26; Master Suleiman Abdullahi, 3; Mrs Zainab Salau, 35; Mr. Muritala Yussuf, 22; Mrs Zainab Saidu, 45; Mr. Hammed Mamud, 51; Mr. Usman Ali, 27; Mr. Nura Abubakar, 24; Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, 20; Mrs Felicia Asusis, 29; and Mr. Jacob Nathaniel, 22,” he stated.
The Force Commander reiterated that OPWS will continue to commit efforts in collaborating with other security agencies in making Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states safe from any form of criminal activities as he reassured the general public of the safety of their lives and property.