The troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully arrested 12 suspected kidnappers.
The army in a statement issued Tuesday said the troops recovered 14 motorcycles, a locally fabricated pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp in her operations within Taraba State.
It said: “Following a distress call from the residents of Chachanji village regarding the abduction of two individuals by a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles on 7 November 2024.
“Acting immediately, troops launched a rapid response operation aimed at rescuing the victims and intercepting the kidnappers. Upon making contact with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to withdraw deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp.
“The troops’ thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers’ operations.”
It added that in a subsequent follow-up operation which was based on credible intelligence, troops on 9 November 24 arrested 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village close to Agu Center.
It said during an intensive investigation, the arrested suspects admitted to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating criminal activities in parts of southern Taraba and Benue states.
