•Troops
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with the police and local vigilantes, have rescued seven kidnapped victims from a suspected kidnappers’ enclave in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were rescued on Monday during an intelligence-led operation around Amla-Icho, Ogobia in Otukpo LGA and Anpekchi communities in Ohimini LGA, reports Daily Trust.
In a statement today, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, stated that the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating in the communities.
Zubairu noted that the troops, supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, moved into the identified areas to search for the victims and apprehended the suspects.
He said that the kidnappers fled into the surrounding terrain on sighting the advancing troops, abandoning their victims in the process.
The OPWS spokesman added that the rescued victims were subsequently secured by the troops and brought out of harm’s way, while a vehicle allegedly linked to the criminal operation was also recovered.
The statement also disclosed that the recovered vehicle was handed over to the police for further investigation and necessary action while commending the troops for their swift response.
It further acknowledged the support of the police and local vigilantes in the operation, urging residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies as it remains a collective responsibility.
