On 25 September 2026, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued six people who had been held captive in the Gbise community of Katsina‑Ala Local Government Area in Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer for OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said the patrol that had been operating in the area received credible information about the presence of the six released victims. “Troops on 25 September 2026 were conducting a patrol within the area when they received credible information regarding the presence of six released kidnapped victims,” he said. “Acting swiftly on the information, the troops immediately mobilised to the location and successfully evacuated the victims to a secure area for safety and further necessary action.”
The rescued individuals were identified as Mr Gabriel Enujuba (50), Mr Samson Magbo (43), Mallam Alkasim Modu (27), Mr Manzo Bello (27), Mallam Sani Abdullahi (25) and Mr Munza Yusuf (25).
During preliminary interviews, five of the victims reported that they had been abducted along the Chenchengi‑Takum road, while Mr Yusuf said he was taken from his home in the Ahmadu General Area of Takum Local Government Area in Taraba State.
Zubairu added that OPWS has been carrying out aggressive, intelligence‑led operations to locate and apprehend members of the kidnapping syndicate responsible for the attacks. He said the force is intensifying patrols and human‑intelligence gathering to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within vulnerable communities and along major routes.
OPWS remains committed to curbing criminality, protecting lives and property, and creating a secure environment for residents, farmers, commuters and other law‑abiding citizens within its Joint Operations Area.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
