…the timely intervention of OPWS troops led to a firefight, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims.
Makurdi, Nigeria — The iNews Times reports that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State, rescuing 24 passengers traveling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State.
The kidnapping incident occurred on Monday night, December 22, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m., following a distress call that prompted troops on routine patrol to swiftly mobilise to the Amoda axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Makurdi early Wednesday, the Acting Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said armed criminals had emerged from nearby bushes and briefly taken over an existing checkpoint along the highway.
According to the statement, the assailants stopped two 18-seater commercial buses and attempted to abduct all passengers onboard. However, the timely intervention of OPWS troops led to a firefight, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
Zubairu disclosed that 15 passengers were initially rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division in Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were initially declared missing.
He added that subsequent search operations resulted in the rescue of five additional kidnapped adults and all four minors, who have since been handed over to the Police Area Command, Otukpo. Efforts are ongoing to locate one remaining missing passenger.
Commending the troops for their swift response and professionalism, the Force Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, reaffirmed the operation’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across its areas of responsibility.
General Gara said OPWS would continue to intensify offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies to sustain recent security gains in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
The force commander also extended Yuletide greetings to Christian faithful within the operational areas, praying for God’s mercy, peace, and enduring joy during the festive season.
He urged citizens to remain united, shun violence, and uphold the virtues of love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, noting that these values are essential for peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity beyond the festive period.
Operation Whirl Stroke has recorded several operational breakthroughs in recent months, including the arrest of three armed suspects in November around Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, as part of sustained efforts to curb banditry in the region.
