Two rescued in foiled kidnap attempt on Benue road

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued two victims from suspected kidnappers who attempted to abduct motorists and other road users along the Naka–Ahume Road in Benue State.

The rescue followed a firefight between the troops and the suspected kidnappers during a fighting patrol on October 24, 2026, forcing the assailants to abandon their captives and flee.

A statement issued on Monday by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said the troops encountered the armed suspects while they were attempting to abduct motorists and other road users.

The statement said the troops engaged the suspects in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their victims before fleeing the scene.

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It added that the troops pursued the fleeing suspects but made no further contact with them.

One of the rescued victims, Mrs Mngunengen Ihom, 36, from Ahume, sustained machete wounds during the incident and was evacuated to Naka General Hospital for medical attention.

The Force Commander of OPWS and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, has directed troops to sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations against armed groups threatening the safety of residents in the joint operations area.

Gara also urged personnel to strengthen intelligence gathering, particularly through human sources, to improve early warning and response to security threats.

He reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to restoring peace and security, while urging members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.