…“Acting on the intelligence, OPWS troops carried out an aggressive search operation to locate the terrorists and rescue the victims safely.
BENUE, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have rescued two kidnapped victims in Gborgbor Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The victims, identified as Unity Bank staff members, Mr Marwan Abubakar, 40, and Mr Leng’en Cakop, 37, were reportedly abducted in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The rescue followed credible intelligence indicating that terrorists and their captives were hiding in the area. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu.
According to him, troops immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.
“Acting on the intelligence, OPWS troops carried out an aggressive search operation to locate the terrorists and rescue the victims safely.
“They searched several suspected houses and locations within Gborgbor Village but initially discovered nothing unusual. However, further intelligence confirmed that the kidnappers and their victims were still within the vicinity,” the statement read in part.
Reinforcements led by the Sub-Sector Commander were later deployed to intensify the operation, which was extended to nearby settlements, including Tse Anaka, increasing pressure on the kidnappers.
Zubairu said the sustained operation forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee the area. A motorcycle believed to have been used by the criminals was also recovered along the route to Tse Anaka Village.
The Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift action, noting that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven tactics in tackling kidnapping and other terrorist activities.
He assured residents of Taraba and neighbouring states of the task force’s continued resolve to safeguard lives and property.
Gara also urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help dismantle criminal networks in the region.
