Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued two victims during a fighting patrol along the Naka–Ahume Road in Benue State.
The operation took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, when the troops reportedly encountered suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons while they were attempting to abduct motorists and other road users.
According to a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Monday and signed by its Acting Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the troops engaged the suspects in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
The statement said the troops pursued the fleeing suspects but made no further contact with them.
One of the rescued victims, identified as Mrs Mngunengen Ihom, 36, from Ahume, sustained machete wounds during the incident.
She was evacuated to Naka General Hospital for medical attention.
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The identity and condition of the second rescued victim were not disclosed.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, charged troops to sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations against armed groups threatening the safety of residents within the joint operations area.
He also urged personnel to strengthen human intelligence gathering to improve early warning systems and enable security forces to respond promptly to emerging threats.
Gara reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to restoring peace and security, while urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.