Operation Whirl Stroke troops have liberated 12 kidnapped individuals traveling from Imo to Adamawa states. The rescue occurred at Jootar village in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, revealed in a statement on Friday, February 23, 2024, that the kidnappers capitalized on an abandoned Federal Police Highway checkpoint.
He stated, “During a recent operation, based on credible human intelligence regarding the activities of kidnappers, troops of Sector 1 OPWS, on February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, rescued 12 kidnapped victims who were traveling from Imo State to Adamawa State.”
General Igbinomwanhia reported that upon encountering the formidable troops of OPWS armed with superior firepower, the kidnappers fled, abandoning their victims.
He further disclosed that an 18-seater bus, identified as belonging to Taraba Express International with Serial Number 212 and Registration Number GKA-371XA TARABA STATE, was recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout and subsequently towed to the troops’ location.
The victims rescued were identified as follows: Mr. Sule Abu (age 55), Mrs. Ashie Shuaibu (age 26), Master Suleiman Abdullahi (age 3), Mrs. Zainab Salau (age 35), Mr. Muritala Yussuf (age 22), Mrs. Zainab Saidu (age 45), Mr. Hammed Mamud (age 51), Mr. Usman Ali (age 27), Mr. Nura Abubakar (age 24), Mr. Mohammed Aliyu (age 20), Mrs. Felicia Asusis (age 29), and Mr. Jacob Nathaniel (age 22).
The force commander emphasized the ongoing efforts of the troops in coordinating with other security agencies to secure Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States from all forms of criminal activities.
Additionally, he reiterated OPWS’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens within the Joint Task Force Joint Operations Area.
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