Soldiers rescue 24 travellers, foil kidnap

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have foiled a kidnapping attempt on the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers and forcing the assailants to flee. The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred around 10pm on December […]

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have foiled a kidnapping attempt on the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers and forcing the assailants to flee.

The acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred around 10pm on December 22, 2025, after troops on routine patrol responded to a distress call in the Amoda axis of Ohimini LGA.

He explained that the attackers emerged from the bush, briefly took over an existing checkpoint and stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said the criminals attempted to abduct the passengers, but that the swift intervention of OPWS troops led to a firefight, compelling the assailants to abandon their victims and escape into the forest.

Lt. Zubairu explained that 15 passengers were initially rescued and handed over to the police in Otukpo.

He further said six adults and four minors were initially declared missing, adding that subsequent search operations led to the rescue of five additional adults and all four minors.

He further said efforts were ongoing to locate the one remaining passenger.

Reacting to the development, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.

Major General Gara assured the public that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols and collaboration with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.