Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during a well-coordinated offensive operation in Benue state.
The operation led by Commander Sector 1, Col. KO Bukoye and supported by the Air Component have continued offensive operations across Benue and neighbouring Taraba States, between August 2 and 3, 2025.
Its Acting Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu in a statement issued Monday said the high-impact operation was carried out simultaneously in Tse-Ahur and Chito general areas of Ukum Local Government of Benue State, with Sector 3 providing a strategic blocking position in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari LGA of Taraba State to interdict fleeing insurgents.
He explained that the deliberate manoeuvre and multi-sectoral coordination clearly demonstrated operational depth and tactical dexterity in a joint environment.
Zubairu noted: “Upon making contact with the kidnappers’ stronghold, troops engaged the adversary with superior firepower which resulted in the arrest of two key suspects, while others escaped in disarray, abandoning their captives and arsenal.
“A decisive search-and-rescue exploitation that followed led to the rescue of 11 kidnapped victims comprising four females and seven males, who were immediately given medical attention and profiled for onward reunification with their families.”
Zubairu added that further exploitation of the objective area resulted in the recovery of a sizeable cache of arms and ammunition which included: four FN rifles, three G3 rifles, four AK-47 rifles, one PKT Machine Gun, one locally fabricated Dane Gun.
Also recovered were: 15 AK-47 magazines, three FN rifle magazines, 31 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 184 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, one pistol magazine, five smoke discharge canisters and several fetish charms.
Zubairu stressed that the operation culminated in the total destruction of the bandits’ camp and logistics within the general area, thereby denying the criminals their freedom of action and logistics support.
Reacting to the operational breakthrough, the Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj-Gen. Moses Gara, who was on ground to coordinate the operation applauded the resilience, gallantry, and fighting spirit of the troops for maintaining offensive momentum and tactical initiative against the enemies of the state.
He reiterated that OPWS remained committed to aggressively pursuing criminals wherever they may be hiding, in line with the strategic directive of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa and the overall vision of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.