The Nigerian Army has announced that troops from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully rescued 12 victims who were kidnapped while traveling from Imo to Adamawa states.

The rescue operation took place on Wednesday at Jootar village in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, revealed that the kidnappers took advantage of an abandoned Federal Police Highway checkpoint.

“Based on credible human intelligence regarding the activities of kidnappers, troops of Sector 1 OPWS conducted an operation on February 21, 2024, at Jootar village in Ukum LGA of Benue State. As a result, 12 kidnapped victims who were traveling from Imo State to Adamawa State were successfully rescued,” stated Major General Igbinomwanhia.

He further added, “Upon encountering the determined and well-equipped OPWS troops, the kidnappers fled, leaving their victims behind.”

During the operation, an 18-seater bus registered as Taraba Express International with the number plate GKA-371XA was recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout and transported to the troop’s location.

The rescued victims include Mr. Sule Abu (55), Mrs. Ashie Shuaibu (26), Master Suleiman Abdullahi (3), Mrs. Zainab Salau (35), Mr. Muritala Yussuf (22), Mrs. Zainab Saidu (45), Mr. Hammed Mamud (51), Mr. Usman Ali (27), Mr. Nura Abubakar (24), Mr. Mohammed Aliyu (20), Mrs. Felicia Asusi (29), and Mr. Jacob Nathaniel (22).