OPWS rescues six kidnapped 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 (LGA) of Benue State.

The Acting Media Information Officer, OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said the breakthrough reaffirms the Joint Task Force’s sustained commitment to protecting lives and denying criminal elements freedom of action within its Joint Operations Area.

Zubairu, in a statement, said: “Troops on 25 September 2026 were conducting a patrol within the area when they received credible information regarding the presence of six released kidnapped victims.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the troops immediately mobilised to the location and successfully evacuated the victims to a secure area for safety and further necessary action.”

He identified the rescued victims as Mr Gabriel Enujuba, aged 50; Mr Samson Magbo, aged 43; Mallam Alkasim Modu, aged 27; Mr Manzo Bello, aged 27; Mallam Sani Abdullahi, aged 25; and Mr Munza Yusuf, aged 25.

According to him, during preliminary investigations with the victims, five of them reportedly disclosed that they had been abducted along the Chenchengi-Takum road while the sixth victim, Mr Munza Yusuf, stated that he was kidnapped from his residence within the Ahmadu General Area of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Following the rescue, he said troops of OPWS had sustained aggressive and intelligence-led operations aimed at locating and apprehending members of the kidnapping syndicate responsible for the attacks.

He said the troops were also intensifying patrols and human intelligence gathering to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within vulnerable communities and along major routes.

OPWS had further charged its troops to remain proactive, vigilant and responsive to emerging security threats, while strengthening human intelligence networks to facilitate the identification, tracking and apprehension of perpetrators.

He said Operation Whirl Stroke remained resolute in its mandate to curb criminality, protect lives and property, and create a secure environment for residents, farmers, commuters and other law-abiding citizens within its Joint Operations Area.