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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS) has rescued 12 kidnapped victims at Jootar village in Ukum Local Government Area, (LGA), Benue state.
The Force Commander (FC), Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday.
He said the victims were coming from Imo State to Adamawa State when they were kidnapped.
The Force Commander said it was observed that the perpetrators took advantage of the abandoned Federal Police Highway checkpoint to carry out their criminal act.
He however stated that troops under his command have not rested on their oars as they have continued to intensify onslaught and aggressive posture in their operations against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in its Areas of Operation in the North Central.
He said following credible human Intelligence on the activities of kidnappers, troops of Sector 1 OPWS, in an operation on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, rescued 12 kidnapped victims who were on transit from Imo to Adamawa State.
He said “On sighting the aggressive troops of OPWS with superior fire power, kidnappers fled leaving behind their victims. An 18 seater bus belonging to Taraba Express International with Serial Number 212 and Registration Number GKA-371XA TARABA STATE was recovered from the kidnappers den and towed to the troops locations.”
The rescued victims are, 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 commander reiterated the commitment of OPWS in collaborating with other security agencies in making Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States free from any form of criminal activities.
He further reassured the general public that OPWS will continue to ensure the safety of lives and properties of all patriotic citizens within the Joint Task Force Joint Operations Area.
