…”the troops mobilised to the location pursued the kidnappers along their escape route,”
ENUGU, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke have thwarted a kidnap attempt along the Enugu–Otukpo Road and rescued three victims.
The development was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on February 25, 2026, when troops stationed at the Forward Operation Base in Otukpo received credible intelligence during a night patrol that suspected kidnappers had hijacked an 18-seater Benue Links bus with registration number TYK 221 YK.
The bus was reportedly carrying four passengers and a minor at the time of the attack.
“Acting promptly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to the location and pursued the kidnappers along their escape route,” the statement said.
It noted that the swift response compelled the assailants to abandon three of the victims, although there was no direct confrontation during the chase.
The troops, however, recovered a mobile phone believed to belong to the suspects at the scene.
The Force Commander praised the soldiers for their resilience, alertness, and operational effectiveness, stating that their actions prevented what could have developed into a serious security breach.
He also urged motorists to stay vigilant while travelling, advising road users to be wary of unusual gaps in vehicular movement within a two-kilometre stretch, pause when necessary to assess their surroundings, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation to facilitate a rapid response.
The rescue comes just days after troops of the Joint Task Force South-East responded to a distress call over a suspected attack along the 9th Mile axis in Enugu, within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility.
In that earlier operation, the military said troops swiftly deployed to the scene and engaged the armed suspects with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives, leading to the safe rescue of five travellers.
