Troops under the Joint Task Force of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued five kidnapped victims and recovered weapons and ammunition during intelligence-led operations in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, military authorities said on Friday.
This was made known in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer
HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Ahamd Zubairu Zubairu, on Friday night and shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Saturday.
According to the statement, the victims regained their freedom after sustained pressure from troops forced their abductors to abandon them when it became clear security forces had closed in on their hideouts.
The rescued victims were identified as Babaji Muhammad, 40, who had spent 10 days in captivity after being abducted along Chede–Takun Road, Sunday Yamusa, 45, who had been held for one month and two weeks, Annumba Obunde, 40, and Babangida Ibbi, 41.
The latter three were reportedly kidnapped along Tor Donga Road. Another victim, Doofan Ahula, 54, had been abducted along the Chede–Takun Road and held for one month and two days before his release.
The statement added that the successful rescue followed sustained offensive operations by troops aimed at denying criminal groups freedom of movement within the joint operations area.
In a related development, troops also recovered a cache of weapons and equipment during a rapid response raid on a suspected bandits’ hideout in Mtam Village, located in Utange Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA.
The operation, conducted on March 13, followed credible intelligence reports about the presence of criminal elements in the area.
However, the suspects reportedly fled the location before troops arrived, allegedly after being alerted by informants.
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A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of several items abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
These included a pair of green camouflage uniform, desert combat boots, one smoke grenade, 107 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Dane gun, six pistols, five pistol magazines, three FN rifle magazines, two motorcycles and several charms.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, **Moses Gara**, commended troops for their professionalism and resilience during the operations.
He urged them to sustain the current operational momentum in order to decisively tackle criminal elements threatening peace and security in the region.
Gara also appreciated residents for providing credible intelligence that aided the operations, encouraging members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Whirl Stroke to restoring lasting peace and stability across affected communities in Benue State.
