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Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have rescued five kidnapped victims and recovered weapons and ammunition during separate operations in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Acting Media Officer of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued over the weekend.
According to the statement, the victims—who had been held captive for periods ranging from 10 days to over a month—were freed after troops closed in on their abductors, forcing the criminals to flee.
The rescued victims include Babaji Muhammad, 40, who was abducted along the Chede–Takun Road and held for 10 days; Sunday Yamusa, 45, who was held for one month and two weeks; Annumba Obunde, 40, and Babangida Ibbi, 41, both abducted along Tor Donga Road; and Doofan Ahula, 54, who was held for one month and two days along the Chede–Takun Road.
In a related intelligence-led operation on March 13, troops responded to reports of bandit activity in Mtam Village, Utange Council Ward, also in Katsina-Ala LGA.
Although the suspects fled before the troops arrived, security forces conducted a thorough search of the area and recovered six pistols, five pistol magazines, three FN rifle magazines, one Dane gun, 107 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two motorcycles, one smoke grenade, camouflage clothing, combat boots, and several charms reportedly abandoned by the fleeing criminals.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and persistence during the operations.
He urged them to sustain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements threatening peace in the region. Major General Gara also thanked members of the public for providing credible intelligence, stressing the importance of community cooperation in ongoing efforts to restore lasting security.
Security agencies have also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to support ongoing counter-crime operations in Benue State.
