Yuletide: Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue 24 passengers in Benue

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing several passengers from armed assailants.

This was disclosed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at about 10:00 pm on December 22, 2025, after troops on routine patrol responded to a distress call around the Amoda axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

According to the military, 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.

The criminals attempted to abduct all passengers on board the vehicles but were confronted by troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, leading to a firefight. The assailants were forced to flee into the bush, abandoning their victims.

Fifteen passengers were initially rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo. While six adults and four minors were first declared missing, follow-up operations led to the rescue of five additional adults and all four minors. They are currently in the custody of the Police Area Command in Otukpo, while efforts are ongoing to locate one remaining passenger.

Reacting to the development, the Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property within its area of responsibility, covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

Gara said sustained offensive operations, intelligence-driven patrols and collaboration with other security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action in the region.