Troops rescue 12 kidnapped travellers in Benue

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 12 kidnapped travellers who were abducted in Benue State en route from Imo to Adamawa State.

Force Commander, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Makurdi noted that the troops under his watch continued to intensify onslaught against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.

He said that in the latest operation, troops of Sector 1 OPWS, on February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, rescued 12 kidnapped victims who were in 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.

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“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 would continue to collaborate with other security agencies in making Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states safe from any form of criminal activities.

He also assured the general public of the safety of their lives and property.