Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing several passengers and forcing the assailants to flee.
Acting Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu in a statement issued Tuesday said the incident occurred on 22 December, 2025 at about 10:00pm following a distress call, prompting troops on routine patrol to mobilise swiftly to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
He said the armed criminals had emerged from the bush and briefly occupied an existing checkpoint.
Zubairu noted that the assailants subsequently stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers.
He, however, noted that the timely intervention of the troops led to a firefight that compelled the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
Zubairu added: “In the initial encounter, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to Nigerian Police Division, Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were declared missing.
“However, subsequent operations led to the rescue of additional five adults and all four minors now in custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo, with search efforts ongoing to locate the remaining missing passenger.”
Commenting on the development, the Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the Task Force unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its Area of Responsibility, stressing that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.