Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have foiled an ongoing kidnap and rescued two victims during a fighting patrol along the Naka–Ahume–Makurdi Road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 26, 2026.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. on October 24 when troops responded to reports of kidnapping activities along the road.
The troops engaged the suspected kidnappers, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims.
One of the rescued victim, Mrs Mngunengen Ihom, who sustained injuries, was subsequently evacuated to Naka General Hospital for medical attention.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, foiled an ongoing kidnap and rescued two victims during a fighting patrol along the Naka–Ahume Road in Benue State on 24 October 2026,” the statement read.
"The troops bumped into the suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons while attempting to abduct motorists and other road users.
"The troops engaged the suspects in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee. The troops subsequently pursued the fleeing suspects but no further contact was made.
