Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have rescued two kidnap victims after foiling an abduction attempt along the Naka-Ahume Road in Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.
He said the incident occurred on October 24, 2026, during a fighting patrol when troops encountered suspected kidnappers attempting to abduct motorists and other road users along the road.
According to him, the troops engaged the suspects in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.
Lt. Zubairu said the troops pursued the fleeing suspects but did not make further contact with them.
He identified one of the rescued victims as 36-year-old Mrs. Mngunengen Ihom from Ahume, who sustained machete injuries during the attack.
The army spokesman said the injured victim was evacuated to Naka General Hospital, where she is receiving treatment.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, urged troops to sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations against armed groups operating in the area.
He also called for improved human intelligence gathering to strengthen early warning and enable security agencies to respond quickly to threats.
Maj. Gen. Gara reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to restoring peace and security and urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to support ongoing operations.