Kidnap Victims Freed as OPWS Troops Rescue 11 in Benue

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 11 kidnap victims, including two serving police inspectors, during coordinated military operations in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The OPWS Commander, Major General Moses Gara, who disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi, said the rescue operation was conducted following persistent reports of abductions in the Sankera axis—covering Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs.

The high-impact operations, carried out on Saturday and Sunday, were led by Sector 1 Commander, Colonel Kolawole Bukoye, with aerial support from the Air Component of OPWS. Troops simultaneously stormed Tse-Ahurand Chito communities in Ukum LGA, while Sector 3 troops provided strategic blocking positions in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari LGA of Taraba State, to intercept fleeing insurgents.

Gen. Gara confirmed that two suspects were arrested during the operation, with one identified as the group’s armourer and the other serving as a security guard to the captives. Both are currently undergoing interrogation.

A substantial cache of weapons was recovered, including:

• 4 FN rifles

• 3 G3 rifles

• 4 AK-47 rifles

• 1 PKT machine gun

• 1 locally fabricated dane gun

• 15 AK-47 magazines

• 3 FN rifle magazines

• 184 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition

• 31 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition

• 1 pistol magazine

• 5 smoke canisters

• Several fetish charms

According to the commander, the rescued individuals comprised seven males and four females. They have received medical attention and are being profiled for reunification with their families.

Victims Share Ordeal

One of the rescued police officers, Inspector John Ngbede, attached to the Numan Divisional Police Station in Adamawa State, revealed that he had been in captivity for 48 days.

“On June 16, while returning to my station around 6:15 p.m. between Zaki Biam and Wukari, we were stopped by men in military uniforms. They abducted us and took us to an unknown location. They collected ₦3.5 million from me but still refused to release me,” he recounted.

Similarly, Inspector Odah Patrick of the Rivers State Police Command said he was abducted on July 14 while en route through Abakaliki into Benue.

“I was granted leave for medical care, but I was kidnapped and spent 16 days in captivity. They extorted ₦3 million from me and still held me until OPWS rescued us,” he said.

Military Reassures Continued Action

Major General Gara commended the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for their sustained support, including the deployment of additional personnel to sustain pressure on criminal elements.

He assured the public that troops would continue to dominate the operational space across Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, with the aim of restoring lasting peace and security.