Soldiers foil kidnap attempt, rescue 24 travellers in Benue

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

Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the incident occurred around 10:00pm on December 22, 2025, after troops on routine patrol responded to a distress call at the Amoda axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.

He stated that the attackers reportedly 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 statement added that the criminals attempted to abduct the passengers, but the swift intervention of OPWS troops led to a firefight, compelling the assailants to abandon their victims and escape into the bush.

Zubairu explained that 15 passengers were initially rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were first declared missing.

Subsequent search operations led to the rescue of five additional adults and all four minors, who are now in the custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo.

He said that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.

Reacting to the development, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism, reiterating the task force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property within its area of responsibility.

Gara assured 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.

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