Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Benue
Troops from Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) successfully rescued three individuals who had been kidnapped along the Ogobia-Otukpo axis in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation took place at approximately 8 a.m. on August 14, 2026. Forces stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Otukpo collaborated with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force to execute the rescue.
Details of the operation were shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on social media platform X on Saturday night. According to the report, authorities were alerted to a kidnapping incident in the area, prompting an immediate response from the troops.
Upon arrival, security personnel discovered an abandoned bus previously used by the suspected kidnappers, with no passengers present. The troops then initiated a pursuit of the fleeing suspects.
During the course of the operation, the kidnappers abandoned the three victims, who were then rescued by the troops. Makama noted that the bus driver was found with a gunshot wound sustained during the incident.
The rescued individuals were turned over to the police for further processing, while security forces continued to search for the suspects who escaped.
