Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, have rescued seven kidnapped victims from a suspected kidnappers’ enclave in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were rescued on Monday, September 14, 2026, during an intelligence-led search and rescue operation around Amla-Icho, Ogobia and Anpekchi communities in the local government area.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating in the affected communities.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, troops and other security personnel swiftly moved into the identified areas to locate the criminals and rescue their victims.
He said the suspected kidnappers fled into the surrounding bushes after sighting the advancing security forces, abandoning the victims in the process.
The troops subsequently secured the area and rescued all seven kidnapped victims, taking them out of harm’s way.
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A vehicle linked to the criminal operation was also recovered during the operation and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and necessary action.
Operation Whirl Stroke commended the troops for their courage, proactiveness and swift response, which led to the safe recovery of the victims.
The Joint Task Force also acknowledged the support and cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes in the successful operation.
The command urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
It reiterated that security is a collective responsibility requiring sustained cooperation between security agencies and local communities.