Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu Expressway in Benue State, rescuing several passengers after a swift response to a distress call.
Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu said the incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025, when troops on routine patrol were alerted to suspicious activity at the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area. The assailants, who reportedly emerged from nearby bush paths, briefly took over an existing checkpoint on the highway.
He said the armed criminals intercepted two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE immediately engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
In the initial encounter, 15 passengers were rescued and handed over to the Nigeria Police Division in Otukpo. Although six adults and four minors were initially declared missing, follow-up operations led to the rescue of an additional five adults and all four minors. The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the Police Area Command in Otukpo, while search operations continue to locate the remaining missing passenger.
Reacting to the development, the Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Task Force’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property within its Area of Responsibility, stressing that sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and close collaboration with sister security agencies would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
Major General Gara also extended Christmas and Yuletide greetings to Christian faithful across the Joint Operations Area, which covers Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states. He called on residents to remain united, shun violence, and uphold the values of love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, noting that these virtues are essential for peace and shared prosperity during the festive season and beyond.
