By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
Eleven kidnapped victims, including four women and seven men, have been rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) during a military raid on bandits’ hideouts in Benue and Taraba States boundaries.
Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, told newsmen at a press conference in Makurdi on Monday that the rescue followed a coordinated offensive carried out between August 2 and 3, 2025, in the Tse-Ahur and Chito areas of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
He said that the operation was led by Commander Sector 1, Colonel Kolawole Bukoye, with aerial support and a strategic blockade by Sector 3 troops in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Force Commander said that the troops engaged the armed group in a fierce gun battle, leading to the arrest of two suspects while others fled, abandoning their captives and weapons, adding that the rescued victims were immediately given medical care and are being profiled for reunification with their families.
He noted that further search of the area led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including four FN rifles, four AK-47 rifles, three G3 rifles, one PKT machine gun, a Dane gun, 15 AK-47 magazines, over 200 rounds of assorted ammunition, smoke canisters, and fetish items.
He said that the troops also destroyed the criminals’ camp and logistics base.
Major General Gara, who personally supervised the operation, commended the troops for their bravery and tactical precision as he reaffirmed the commitment of the military to rid Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States of criminal elements, in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
