How troops rescued 24 passengers from kidnappers in Benue

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Twenty four people made up of 20 adults and four minors were rescued by troops in a foil of attempt by armed bandits to abduct passengers from to buses along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, said in a statement on Saturday that the incident occurred on 22 December 2025 at about 10:00pm when troops responded to a distress call and mobilise swiftly to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the statement, the armed armed criminals emerged from the bush, occupied an existing checkpoint and subsequently stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers.

But he said the timely intervention of troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE led to a firefight that compelled the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.

He added that in the initial encounter, the troops rescued 15 passengers and them handed over to Nigerian Police Division, Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were declared missing.

But in subsequent operations, the troops rescued five more adults and all four minors who are now in custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo.

He added that with search efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining missing passenger.

Commenting on the development, the Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the Task Force unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its Area of Responsibility, stressing that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

“Major General Moses Gara, extends warm Christmas and Yuletide greetings to all Christian faithful within the Joint Operations Area, covering Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

He prays that the season brings God’s abundant mercy, peace, and enduring joy to families and communities.

“The Force Commander urges all believers to remain united, to shun all forms of violence, and to live by the noble virtues exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ of love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as a prerequisite for shared prosperity throughout the festive period and beyond,” Zubair concluded.