Troops rescue 9 abducted passengers in Benue
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued nine kidnap victims at Owukpa forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescued kidnap victims were reported to have been abducted in a commercial vehicle along Otukpa/Enugu Highway on January 11, 2024.
The Force Commander, Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, stated this in a chat with journalists in Makurdi on Thursday.
According to him, the operation was in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard.
He said, “On January 16, 2024, troops of Section 6 Operation Whirl Stroke in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard acting on credible intelligence, stormed the hideout of suspected kidnappers at Owukpa Forest in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“The operation was premised on the kidnap of passengers transiting in a commercial bus along Otukpa – Enugu Road on January 11, 2024.
“Nine passengers, comprising of eight females and one male passenger were rescued from the suspected kidnappers”.
Igbinowanhia said two suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation.
The rescued kidnap victims were later released to proceed to their respective destinations.
Items recovered at the scene include one AK 47 Rifle and 10 mobile phones.
While appreciating the locals for providing the information that led to the discovery of the hideout of the kidnappers and the subsequent rescue of the victims, the commander urged the people in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states to continue to make use of the emergency numbers provided by the command to provide credible information to OPWS.
