Troops rescue 6 kidnap victims in Benue

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued six kidnapped victims around Gbise community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement on Saturday noted that the victims were rescued on Friday, after troops on patrol received credible information about their release and immediately mobilised to the area to evacuate them to safety.

The rescued victims were identified as Gabriel Enujuba, 50; Samson Magbo, 43; Alkasim Modu, 27; Manzo Bello, 27; Sani Abdullahi, 25; and Munza Yusuf, 25.

Zubairu explained that during preliminary questioning, five of the victims reportedly said they were abducted along the Chenchengi-Takum road, while Yusuf said he was kidnapped from his residence in the Ahmadu General area of Takum LGA of Taraba State.

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He said that the development came as troops intensified operations against kidnapping syndicates operating across communities and major routes within the task force’s Joint Operations Area.

The statement added that the troops had continued intelligence-led operations to locate and apprehend members of the syndicate responsible for the abductions.

Zubairu said patrols and human intelligence gathering had also been intensified to deny criminal elements freedom of action in vulnerable communities and along major routes.

The statement added that the task force had further directed its personnel to remain proactive and responsive to emerging security threats while strengthening intelligence networks to identify and track suspected criminals.

The OPWS spokesman said the task force remained committed to protecting lives and property and creating a secure environment for residents, farmers, commuters and other law-abiding citizens within its area of operation.